Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka. It spreads over 395 sq km of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The sanctuary is inhabited by tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, gaur, elephant, sloth bear, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild pig, common langur, bonnet macaque, common mongoose, striped-necked mongoose, porcupine, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel and pangolin. Python, cobra king cobra rat snake and marsh crocodile are some of the reptiles found here. Birds include hornbills, kingfishers, bulbuls, parakeets, doves, pigeons, kingfishers, babblers, flycatchers, swallows, woodpeckers, peafowl, jungle fowl and partridges.

The Tunga Anicut Dam inside the sanctuary is also home to otters and water birds. Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary is part of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Shettihalli Wildlife sanctuary has mostly dry and moist deciduous forests in the eastern and central parts. Towards the west, with an increase in rainfall, there are semi-evergreen forests.

Animals In Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Common Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Porcupine, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Giant Flying Squirrel and Pangolin.

Birds In Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers, Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl and Partridges.

Reptiles In Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary Python, cobra King Cobra rat snake and Marsh Ccrocodile .

The best time to visit the sanctuary is November to January.

How to Get there

Air: The nearest airport to Shimoga is Bangalore.

Rail: Shimoga Town Railway Station serves as the nearest railhead.

Road: The sanctuary is near to Shimoga town and can be accessed by buses plying between Shimoga and Sagar.

Accommodation: The Rest House is on the edge of the Linganamakki reservoir, amidst semi- evergreen forest, approximately 3 km from the main road. You can also stay at Jog Falls.