Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary

Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Western Ghats of Udupi district, Karnataka, takes its name from the goddess of the Kollur Mookambika Temple, which lies within it along with the Kodachadri hills. Notified in 1974 over 274 sq km and later enlarged to 370.37 sq km, it is crossed by the perennial Chakra and Sowparnika rivers. It is 35 km from Kundapur and 25 km from Byndoor, and the nearest railway station, Mookambika station at Byndoor, is 28 km away.

The forests range from west coast evergreen and semi-evergreen to moist deciduous, with dry grassland. Mammals include tiger, leopard, dhole, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, mouse deer, lion-tailed and bonnet macaques and the giant flying squirrel, along with king cobra and python. Birds include the great Indian and Malabar grey hornbills, scarlet minivet and golden oriole. Nearby attractions include the Arasinagundi and Belkal Theertha falls, Koosalli Waterfalls and the Mudagal cave temple.