Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary protects a stretch of rocky hills and open scrub forest near Hampi and is managed by the Karnataka Forest Department for the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), which people here call karadi. Habitat loss and poaching once brought the bears close to disappearing; about 150 now live in the reserve, sheltering among boulders, outcrops and caves.

A watchtower inside the sanctuary is the main viewing point. Forest staff coat rocks with honey to bring the bears into the open, and the sound of them licking can carry up to 100 m. Leopard, hyena, wild boar, pangolin, porcupine, jackal, star tortoise and monitor lizard also live here, and the birdlife includes Indian roller, painted spurfowl, peafowl, stone curlew, sandgrouse and the yellow-throated bulbul.