Andhra Pradesh Wild Life

Andhra Pradesh has the Nallamala and Eastern Ghats forests, the mangroves of the Godavari and Krishna deltas, and large coastal lakes that draw migratory birds in their thousands. For the sanctuaries of Telangana, see Telangana Wildlife.

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Spread over the Nallamala hills south of the Krishna, this is the largest tiger reserve in India. Its dry deciduous forests and deep gorges are home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, sambar and chital, and to the Chenchu people. The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary is part of it.

Gundla Brahmeswaram Sanctuary

Gundla Brahmeswaram lies between Nandyal and Prakasam districts, about 30 km from Nandyal, over an area of about 1,194 sq km. Its mixed deciduous forests hold tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, hyenas, jungle cats, langurs, bonnet macaques, antelopes, deer and reptiles.

Sri Venkateswara National Park

The hills around Tirumala form the Sri Venkateswara National Park, with the Talakona waterfall and rare plants such as the red sanders tree, found only in these forests, and animals such as the slender loris and the golden gecko.

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary

About 20 km from Kakinada and 70 km from Rajamahendravaram, Coringa protects the mangrove forests of the Godavari estuary, among the largest in India after the Sundarbans. Estuarine crocodiles, sea turtles, fishing cats, otters and many birds can be seen from its boardwalk.

Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary

The mangroves and creeks of the Krishna delta near Machilipatnam and Nagayalanka shelter fishing cats, otters and water birds.

Kolleru Lake

Kolleru, between the Godavari and Krishna deltas, about 65 km from Vijayawada, is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India and a Ramsar wetland. Grey pelicans, painted storks and other birds nest here.

Nelapattu and Pulicat

The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in Tirupati district, about 20 km north of Pulicat, is one of the most important breeding grounds of the spot-billed pelican in South Asia. Pulicat Lake, India's second largest brackish-water lagoon, shared with Tamil Nadu, draws flamingos and other migratory birds in winter.

Other sanctuaries and parks

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: near Palamaner in Chittoor district, about 120 km from Bengaluru; the only home of wild elephants in Andhra Pradesh.
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary: grassland in Nandyal district, protecting the endangered great Indian bustard.
Papikonda National Park: forests on both sides of the Godavari gorge.
Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary: in Kadapa district, the home of the rare Jerdon's courser.
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park: 625 acres of forest at Visakhapatnam, between the hills and the sea.
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary: a forested hill at Visakhapatnam.
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park: one of the largest zoos in the country, at Tirupati.