Kerala visit to sanctuaries protecting endemic animals

In July, the monsoon month in Kerala, I visited three sanctuaries, Thenmala butterfly sanctuary, Eravikulam Reserve and Silent Valley National Park.   These sanctuaries protect the Southern Birdwing Butterfly (the biggest in India), the Nilgiri Tahr and the Lion tailed macaque, in that order.

See what I saw through these you Tube videos.

https://youtu.be/_M-5DzCbPM8

https://youtu.be/TilMdQvKLbc

https://youtu.be/vCuWGaA8r5E

Vypin Island, Kerala-Dolphins and Chinese Net Fishing

Vypin Island is criss crossed by canals. Though the area nearer to mainland is now waiting to see a boom in construction of multi storey buildings, the island and its beaches still have a serenity and beauty which is becoming rarer by the day.

Standing in front of a noisy school on the bank of the backwaters, one could see a school of dolphins popping in and out while a few fishermen were busy catching fish, standing right on the bank. Dolphins and fish seem to move together and the alert fishermen lower the Chinese nets into the water to pick up whatever fish can be netted. Not a very effiecient way, but then interesting to watch.

Trekking along Kovalam beach, Kerala

Kovalam beach is a favourite with tourists for swimming in the sea. There are coast guards around who keep a watchful eye. The beach is advertised as 'jelly fish Free' on the various travel sites.

So it was a surprise to find large number of purple jellyfish being washed onto the shore by the waves.





The coast guards assured us they are dead and harmless. The fishermen throw them out when they get caught in their nets. It seems there is a migration of jelly fish for about a fortnight in October, when the sea gets foamy with the gelatine in the jelly fish.

Kovalam beach never fails to arouse curiosity!

Squids which made jelly fish their home, were seen crawling inside and attracted other beach goers. I am sharing a small clip uploaded in 'wildbytes' channel of youtube.