The Bandhavgarh National Park in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna. The prime attractions of this mystical jungle include the Royal Bengal Tiger, the elusive leopards and the nimble-footed chinkaras and chousinghas among several others. Every trip we made to these mesmerising jungles has left us spellbound and hungry for more! This blog is our humble attempt to portray the magnificence of the wildlife in Bandhavgarh.

Situated in the district of Umaria, the jungles and the brimming wildlife in Bandhavgarh lures many travellers every year with the promise of peace, a tryst with the big cats and moments full of surprises! This wild haven is a four-hour drive away from its closest city - Jabalpur. For more on how to reach Bandhavgarh from different parts of the country, make sure you read our blog here.

The main attraction in Bandhavgarh toursim is tiger sightings and it is safe to say that Bandhavgarh seldom fails. But, the many mammals of Bandhavgarh such as leopards, gaurs, wild boars, dholes, sloth bears, deer, mongooses and monkeys also call these mystical forests their home. Read on to know more about these beautiful creatures of the natural world!

Tigers of Bandhavgarh

Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger population in India. And,  Bandhavgarh has one of the highest tiger densities in the world! In the recent years, Bandhavgarh has been home to some iconic tigers and tigresses and their dynasties continue to thrive even today. To know more about the majestic tigers of Bandhavgarh, make sure you read this blog.

Tigers are apex predators and their role in the ecosystem is to ensure that the predator-prey ratio is healthy and is maintained.

Tigers are fiercely territorial and some lucky visitors get to witness aggressive fights break out in Bandhavgarh between individuals of this robust and dense population. Tigers need a safe territory to hunt and mate, and tigresses rearing cubs need a safe haven to hide their offspring from stranger males. Tiger cubs separate themselves from their mother after 2 or 2 and half years and go their ways in search of a territory of their own.

Before attaining maturity and independence, if the cubs cross paths with any tiger other than the one that has sired them, they are almost certain to be killed. The foreign male kills the cubs to get the female back into oestrus so he can father his own cubs and ensure his genes are passed on.

The best time to spot the tigers of Bandhavgarh is during summers. This is when the tigers frequent water holes to cool off. They are excellent swimmers and spotting them in their element is one of the most unique Bandhavgarh wildlife experiences.

The relentless efforts towards conservation by forest rangers of Bandhavgarh National Park and the forest department have borne fruit. As per the tiger census of 2020, Madhya Pradesh overtook Karnataka to become the state with the maximum number of tigers!  

Leopards of Bandhavgarh

Leopards are opportunistic hunters that can adapt to a wide range of habitats, from rainforests to dry deciduous forests. They are also found in hilly and rocky areas and open grasslands as well as incredibly close to human habitation! Their fur helps in camouflaging them perfectly to their surroundings.

The population of leopards in Bandhavgarh is quite high.  However,  because of the super healthy tiger population, leopards are extremely shy and vigilant and are seldom spotted. They are crepuscular animals who are comfortable in the canopy of the trees, or sitting in shadowy caves, perfectly blended making it even tougher for human eyes to sight them.

So, when exploring Bandhavgarh wildlife, keep an eye out for the elusive leopard, that is usually perched on high branches or rocks. In their natural element, leopards are a treat for the eyes.

Jungle Cats of Bandhavgarh

Also called reed cat and swamp cat, the jungle cat is a medium-sized cat that is extremely elusive. Jungle cats, like all cats, have acutely sharp senses. They are often hidden under dense vegetation and are very rarely spotted in the wild during safaris in Bandhavgarh. If you are riding on a huge happy wave of luck, you can cross paths with this unique small cat species. If it happens, consider yourself fortunate and blessed!

Wild Dogs (Dholes) of Bandhavgarh

Also known as Asiatic wild dogs or Indian wild dogs, dholes live in packs and their social bonds are very strong. Unity and strength are key for them to operate successfully as they take down prey which is usually double their size to suffice the entire pack. They are integral to the wildlife in Bandhavgarh and are known for being fierce hunters with powerful canines. They usually attack their prey from behind and bite out chunks of meat from their softer rears and under-belly to bring the animal down. One or two dholes take the lead and chase the prey while the rest maintain a steady pace behind. As one individual tires, the other takes over and keeps the relentless sprinting pace to finally outrun their prey. Their gentle appearance must not be mistaken for them being amicable. They are rarely spotted in Bandhavgarh, perhaps because of the robust tiger population.

Asiatic Jackals of Bandhavgarh

Also known as the golden jackal, Asiatic jackals have an elongated body, a small, but thick, bushy tail, short legs and a pointed muzzle. The colour of their coat changes from yellowish-golden in the summer to a darker tawny shade in the winter.

Asiatic jackals can be spotted alone, but are often sighted in pairs. Once you spot them on the road, they usually stay on the road for some time before darting away into the undergrowth.

The Striped Hyenas of Bandhavgarh

Among the mammals of Bandhavgarh National Park is the striped hyena. Often spotted in the  fringes of the forest, the Striped hyena is a scavenger species and predominantly, a creature of the dark. It is a monogamous animal, with both males and females raising their cubs.

Striped hyenas have a greyish-brown coat and their hind legs are significantly shorter than their forelimbs. Although known to feign death when attacked, there have been records of these canids standing guard over their food against larger predators. They are the national animal of Lebanon.

The Bengal Fox

Endemic to India, the Bengal fox or the Indian fox is a small canid that is primarily a crepuscular animal. Bengal foxes are smaller than Asiatic jackals and have long fluffy tails. They are often spotted in pairs. Females are known to share dens and raise one another’s litters.

Bengal foxes are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. Their diet mainly consists of insects, rodents, small birds and fruits. They are also known to feed on eggs of several bird species, including those of the Great Indian bustard.  

Sloth Bears of Bandhavgarh

Sloth bears are endemic to the Indian subcontinent, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Their diet primarily consists of termites and ants, but they also consume fruits. They breed during the spring or early summer when the forests still offer them plenty of food. Their cubs are born at the beginning of winter. Unlike other bear species, they routinely carry their cubs on their backs. This is their most unique attribute.

In the months of early spring and summer, the bears are attracted to the flowers of the Mahua trees in Bandhavgarh. It is in spring that they are the most active and it is the best time to spot sloth bears amongst the thriving wildlife in Bandhavgarh.  

Spotted Deer of Bandhavgarh

Arguably the most common species of Bandhavgarh wildlife, the spotted deer or chital is a herbivorous species native to the Indian subcontinent. They are most often seen in large numbers, feeding on the green carpet of the forest. They are always vigilant and let out their alarm call at the slightest sign of danger. Many times, these are not distress calls and there is no real danger of any predators in the vicinity.  But they are often hunted down by tigers, leopards and dholes.

Sambar Deer of Bandhavgarh

Sambar deer are larger than spotted deer and they are of a light brown or greyish colour. They feed on grass shoots and foliage. Because of their softer meat and more suitable size, they are the tiger’s favourite prey. These hefty creatures weigh about 200 kgs when they attain adulthood and provide for a sumptuous meal for the big cats and even a pack of dholes.

Barking Deer of Bandhavgarh

The Indian muntjac, also called the barking deer, is a quiet, solitary, leaf-eating deer species. Barking deer are very shy and most often disappear into the undergrowth after offering only a fleeting glimpse to their visitors on a safari in Bandhavgarh. Not too much is known about them and studies are being conducted. They too fall under the prey base for big cats and dholes.

Chinkaras of Bandhavgarh

Also known Indian gazelles, chinkaras are extremely shy and avoid human habitations and human beings. They are hunted for their meat and also trophy hunted in Afghanistan. They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN list. In India, they inhabit at least 80 protected areas. They have a reddish-brown body with a white under-belly. The sides of their face are distinctly marked with chestnut stripes from the corner of their eyes to their muzzle.

Chinkaras can go without water for long periods and get enough fluid intake from early morning dew settled on plants and shrubs. Although most are seen alone, they can sometimes be spotted in groups of up to four or five individuals.

Chousingha

Chousinghas or the four-horned antelope are a bit larger than the Chinkaras. Apart from their unique four horns and their need to drink water frequently, Chousinghas share similar attributes with Chinkaras. They are solitary by nature, but can occasionally be sighted in herds of up to five individuals. They are very elusive and feed on grass, herbs, foliage and flowers and fruits. The Chousinghas, too,  have not been studied much and a lot about them is still unknown. They are threatened by habitat loss due to agricultural expansion. They too have sadly been the target for trophy hunters and they too are categorised as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Nilgai

Nilgai is India’s largest antelope species. Nilgais are stockily built with thin legs and short horns. They prefer to stay in areas with short bushes, scattered trees and grassy plains. They are seldom found in dense forests. They are found mostly in arid areas and can go for long hours without needing water. They are spotted in small herds of up to 20 individuals and rarely in herds of more than 30 individuals. They feed on young shoots of grass, herbs, or small leaves in the shrubbery.

Gaurs of Bandhavgarh

After successfully being translocated from Kanha in 2011-2012, the gaurs in Bandhavgarh are thriving today. Their population is steadily rising. These herculean beasts are known to brave tigers and sometimes even chase them away. Muscular and massive, males weigh a ton - 1500 kgs and females weigh 700-800 kgs. Gaurs are the heaviest and the most powerful species of wild cattle. They are only occasionally taken down by tigers. There have been instances of tiger deaths caused by the horns of these mighty herbivores!

Wild Boars

Wild boars are one of the most common species worldwide and have adapted very well to different habitats and climates. They are an omnivorous species, and are known to eat almost everything ranging from roots and barks to fruits, insects and carrion! They are a social species and most often spotted in sounders of 12 to 15 individuals which is led by a matriarch. They can also occasionally be spotted as solitary individuals. They are mainly preyed on by tigers, leopards and wolves.

Indian Grey Mongoose

Endemic to the Indian subcontinent and West Asia, the Indian grey mongoose is usually spotted alone or in pairs. They are a bold and inquisitive species but seldom venture too far away from their hide. They are most famously known for their ability to combat and bring down venomous snakes. They mainly feed on snakes, small rodents, eggs and hatchlings and invertebrates. They breed across the year.

Fun fact: The Indian grey mongoose is the state animal of Chandigarh.

Macaques (Monkeys)

Along with chitals, perhaps, the most easily sighted and most common animals of Bandhavgarh wildlife are the Rhesus macaques and the Grey langurs.  

Rhesus macaques are diurnal animals and are terrestrial and highly social. Their groups can range from 20 - 200 individuals! They are mostly herbivorous and their food chiefly consists of fruits, seeds and roots. There have also been records of them eating termites, grasshoppers and beetles. They have pouch-like pockets in their cheeks that allow them to hoard food.

Another common denizen of the wildlands of central India is the Grey langur. Also known as Hanuman langur, these monkeys are Old World Monkeys, native to the Indian subcontinent. These langurs have a grey coat with black faces and limbs and a long slender tail.

Indian langurs are primarily herbivorous and are known to sound the alarm at the sight of an approaching predator. They too are social animals and live in a strict hierarchical structure.  

Birds of Bandhavgarh

Birds form a large part of the wildlife in Bandhavgarh. The park hosts over 250 species of birds! Many of these birds of Bandhavgarh are permanent residents, but several migratory birds sojourn at this park during the winter! The best time to spot these winged wonders are between October and January.

Apart from the common birds of Bandhavgarh such as peacocks, rufous treepies, green bee-eaters, crested-serpent eagles, common blue kingfishers and the like, the hills around Bandhavgarh are breeding grounds for the long-billed vultures, the king vultures and the rare Egyptian vulture.

These scavenger birds attract a lot of bird lovers.

Bandhavgarh is home to many species of woodpeckers, raptors and water birds. Some truly rare and unique birds can also be found here, such as the Indian nightjar, the Indian grey hornbill and the brown-hawk owls. Several others are not sighted commonly such as the Tickell’s blue flycatcher, brown-crowned pygmy woodpecker and the Bonelli’s Eagle.

To know more about these stunning birds, read our blog ‘Magical birds of Bandhavgarh’.

Wildlife of Bandhavgarh - Summary

With such a magnificent gamut of wildlife species, the Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the most cherished forest reserves of India and a wonderful place to go on a safari. Best known for its bold, splendid and charismatic big cats, Bandhavgarh is also home to several jewelled species of natural history such as chousinghas, chinkaras, the striped hyena and many more.

To learn more about the best time to visit Bandhavgarh, read our blog “What is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh?”

Bandhavgarh is also home to a plethora of bird species making it a birder’s paradise. Spotting any animal or bird against the diverse backdrops is a sight to behold! It is as if time stands still and there is an ethereal connection between oneself and the wildlife of Bandhavgarh. The few moments of silence, the fresh air that caresses one’s face and the exhilaration of catching a trail and a glimpse of the big cat are ineffable feelings!

Indulge in Bandhavgarh tourism for some of the most enthralling wildlife experiences? What better way to feel revitalised than being cradled by nature’s lap?

Disclaimer: While we have highlighted some of the mammals and birds of Bandhavgarh, we must admit, the Bandhavgarh National Park is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including insects, wildflowers, plants, ferns and other species. As a jungle safari is the means of exploring the wildlife of Bandhavgarh, we have limited this blog to mammals and birds which can be sighted when on safari.

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