Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 35,670 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2003 | not assessed | high | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 35,760 ha in Kuppam and Palmaner Ranges of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is the only Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh known for harbouring a population of Asian elephants, which reportedly reappeared in 1984 after 200 years (Prasad and Reddy 2002). The Sanctuary has Dry Deciduous forests, with thorny scrub interspersed with trees providing a good habitat for Asian Elephants. These forests have small ponds, tanks and the Kaundinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River, which provide the main sources of water for the animals. The Sanctuary is situated 50 km from Chittoor and 120 km from Bangalore.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: No detailed study on avifauna has been conducted at this site, but the Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus is found here.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Since the reappearance in Kaundinya in 1984 of seven elephants and then in 1986 of 22, the population has increased to 78 (Prasad and Reddy 2002). Besides the elephant, the major wildlife includes Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, Leopard Panthera pardus, Cheetal Axis axis, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Porcupine Hystrix indica, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Slender Loris Loris tardigradus.
Acknowledgements
Key contributors: Workshop participants and the IBA Team.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kaundinya-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 22/11/2024.