Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Thekkady in Kerala, is one of the 16 Project Tiger Reserves in India. About a century ago, a British engineer, Col. J. Pennycuick, chalked out a plan to dam the Periyar River, subsequently, a dam was constructed in 1895. This resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection, by the Maharaja of Travancore. The 55 sq km reservoir and the surrounding forests, provide protection to the animals within. Today, Periyar is undeniably, one of the most impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the oldest national park in the state, created in 1934. The vast reserve of some 780 sq. kilometres varies in altitude from 900m to 1800m.

The terrain ranges from open grasslands to dense tropical forests. The Periyar lake provides an enchanting setting for abundant wildlife of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is well known for its large herds of elephants, bison, wild boar and spotted and sambar deer are also a common sight. Tigers and leopards are sighted only rarely. Smaller animals include black langurs, lion-tailed monkeys and flying squirrels. There are plenty of darters, cormorants, egrets, herons and white-necked stalks that perch on the dead trees in the lake; owls and hornbills maybe spotted in the forest.