The top carnivore in the Park is the Tiger. Leopards are also seen in large numbers.  Wild dogs and Indian Wild Boar are sometimes seen in large numbers along the banks of the Sakhya Sagar lake. Other carnivores one can encounter in the Park are Wild Dog, Wolf, Jackal, Jungle Cat and Hyena. Chital, Sambar, Chowsingha, Black Buck, Nilgai and Chinkara, are found in large numbers in the Park. The flat, open areas along the lakes are the main areas for the Chital, Nilgai and Chinkara. Sambar are only found in the hilly areas in the Park with steep slopes and relatively dense forest cover. In the rest of the Park, Nilgai, Cheetal and Chinkara are commonly seen. Also the four-horned Antelope or the Chowshinga can be encountered here.

Among the smaller fauna, Jungle Cat, Palm Civet Cat, Otter, Fox, Porcupine, Monitor Lizard and Black-naked Hare are found in the Park.

The two lakes in the Park are major wetland areas and attract thousands of migratory waterfowl, during the winters.

More about the Interesting Fauna of the Park

Indian Wild Boar

Sus Scrofa

Wild Boar inhabit grassy or scanty bush jungles and forest areas. They live in  large groups consisting of 10-15 individuals or more. Omnivorous animals, they feed on crops, roots, tubes, and insects.

Spotted deer or Chital

Axis axis

Generally seen in herds of 10-30, chital inhabit forests and grazing areas with plentiful water supply. Versatile in their feeding habits, they consume grass, leaf, folder and fruits.

Dhole or Indian Wild Dog

Cuon alpinus

Dholes look like domestic dogs, but have ears more rounded at the tip and a tail that is quite bushy. They inhabit forest areas and prey on sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Pig etc. They live in small packs consisting of individual families. They are also called 'whistling hunters' because they whistle to each other to coordinate their hunts. They never bark.

Striped Hyena

Hyaena hyaena

Hyenas come out in search of food by night, retiring before sunrise.  They may lie concealed by day in grass, under bushes or in cane fields. Hyenas are scavengers.

Leopard or Panther

Panthera pardus

Leopards inhabit forests, grasslands, and even deserts. Leopards usually conceal themselves by day in a cave or den or in a tree. They usually hunt by themselves, but occasionally two may prowl together. They eat deer, cattle, monkey, rodents, birds and reptiles. Leopards are expert climbers.

Nilgai

Boselaphus tragocamelus

Nilgais are the largest Indian antelopes. Nilgais browse or graze in hilly areas with scattered trees, or among the long grass and scrub lands. They can go for long periods without drinking water. They freely enter cultivation areas and are known to damage crops.

Sambar

Cervus unicolor

Sambars are the largest deer found in India. They are important prey for the tiger. Though heavy, these animals can move silently through dense jungles. They take to the water readily and swim with their body partially submerged.

Marsh Crocodile

Crocodylus palustris

The marsh crocodiles or Mugger are fresh water reptiles. In the summer, when lakes and rivers dry up, these crocodiles may migrate long distances in search of permanent water sources. They feed on fish, turtles, water birds, and even deer and wild boar. One may often see muggers with their mouths wide open- this is a way of method of controlling their body temperature.

Chinkara or the Indian Gazelle

Gazella gazella

Found in the plains and low hills of North-Western and central India, these small and graceful animals are shy. Sight, scent and hearing all are very well developed in the chinkara. When alarmed, the herd goes off at a wild pace.

Indian Porcupine

Hystrix indica

Porcupines are easily recognized by their armour of quills. These quills are actually modified hair. Contrary to popular belief, these animals cannot shoot quills at an enemy, but the quills are loosely attached and may come off when they brush against the attacker. They feed on vegetables, grains and roots.

A variety of vegetation is seen in the Park due to the diverse ecosysytems here, namely lakes, forests and grasslands.

Aquatic Vegetation

Aquatic Vegetation can be found in the waters of the Sakhya Sagar lake. The water Hyacinth (Ipomea) though assuming weed proportions, serve as a good habitat for the purple moorhen and other birds.

Grasslands

The Park does not have pure grasslands but open grasslands patches can be seen in areas adjoining the Sakhya Sagar lake, the various boat landings and a few other areas.

Riparian Forests

The Riparian Forests are found only along the banks of perennial streams and in deep sheltered valleys. The main tree species here are Arjun, Jamun, Kusum.

The main tree species seen in the Park are :

Kardhai 

(Anogeissus pendula)

Kardhai found in the major portions of the Park provide excellent food for wildlife. The leaves and seeds are especially relished by deer and antelopes.

Salai 

(Boswellia serrata)

Occuring in almost all the reserved forest blocks in the Park, these Salai trees are generally found on the higher plateaus and slopes of hilltops.

Khair 

(Acacia Catechu)

Seen in the open areas along the foothills of the Park, Khair is found along with Kardhai and Tendu.

Barheaded geese

Anser indicius

 Winter visitors from central Asia, the barheaded geese are found in Northern and Northeast India. Congregating in large numbers, these birds raid on crop fields and can cause damage to winter crops such as wheat or gram. The bar-shaped marks on their head has earned them their name.

Paradise flycathcer

Terpsiphone paradisi

Found throughout India, paradise flycatchers frequent shady groves, gardens and deciduous forests. Males with their long ribbon-like tail, twist and turn through trees and make almost fairy-like flying movements. They feed on insects.

Demoiselle Crane

Anthropoides virgo

Demoiselle Cranes are commonly seen winter visitors.

Flocks wander over open cultivated fields and marshy areas,

Darter or Snake-bird

Anhinga rufa

Darters, when swimming under water with only their long sleder S-shaped neck above the surface, can be easily mistaken for a snake. This has given them the name 'Snake-bird'. Darters feed chiefly on fish, but occasionally also on amphibians, and even snakes.

Little Grebe or Dabchick

Tachybaptus ruficollis

One of the smallest water birds of India, little grebes can be spotted swimming low in the water and disappearing under it at the slightest provocation. They spend almost their entire life swimming in the water and are great divers.

They eat small fishes, molluscs and water insects.

Grey Partidge

Francolinus pondicerianus

These birds are commonly seen in pairs or small groups in forests, dry open countryside and in the neighbourhood of villages and fields. Partidges spend a large part of their time scraping the ground with their toes to seek out their food - chiefly grain, seeds, insect larvae, termites, etc.

Rosy Pelican

Pelecanus onocrotalus

Rosy Pelicans are winter visitors to North India. A pelican flock is like a team of cooperative fishermen surrounding a school of fish, driving them to the shallow waters and then scooping them up in their pouches.

Large flocks are seen in Jheels and Lakes.

Whitebacked or Bengal Vulture

Gyps bengalensis

Huge birds with a naked head and neck shrunk into the shoulders, these vultures are found in India. Whitebacked vultures spend a good part of their life on the wing, soaring in wide circles at great heights. If an animal dies somewhere, these vultures patrolling in the sky far overhead descend to scavenge and eat the carcass. The number of this important scavenger has fallen alarmingly in recent years.