Wildlife
Manjampatti Valley currently supports stable breeding populations of several large mammal species including apex predators critical to healthy populations of smaller animals.
In colonial times Indian Tigers (Tamil: puli) were common in this area and as recently as the 1950s the Raja of Puthukkottai would go out from his house in Kodaikanal and hunt them. At least one Tiger has been shot here within the past fifty five years. Two Tigers, a male and a female, were sighted and recorded in the 2007 wildlife census. Tiger populations in the adjoining areas of IGWS&NP and the nearby Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve could expand back into this area if they and their prey species were better protected.
The census estimated 10 to 20 Panther (Tamil: sirutthai) living in the Manjampatti Valley. Wild Indian Elephants (Tamil: yaanai) roam over the whole valley. Sloth Bears (Tamil: karadi) are sighted every year in the upper forests of Manjampatti valley. Nilgiri Thar (Tamil: varaiaadu) live especially on the spectacular high rocky peaks around the valley, as Mudimalai, Jambumalai, and Attumalai, though they may also be seen in the valley forests. There are several herds of Gaur (popularly called bison) (Tamil: kaattu erumai, “forest buffalo”) in the valley. Earlier the area was well known for Manjampatti White Bison. This possible sub-species has recently been seen and photographed here by forest Department staff.
Wild Boar (Tamil: kaattu panri) live all over the Palani Hills and in Manjampatti Valley, where one can frequently see holes in the ground where they have dug for edible roots. The Valley has the Large mountain squirrel (Tamil: Malai-anil) and the Ash-colored squirrel (Tamil: Saambalnira anil).
There are wild peacocks, jungle fowl, and many other bird species enumerated in the Wildlife Census.
There are no known studies of the many reptiles, amphibians, insects, invertebrates or plants living in the valley.
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