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SANCTUARY SPOTLIGHT

Doraji sloth bear sanctuary

Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1994, Doraji is the only sanctuary in north Karnataka dedicated to the sloth bear. Covered predominantly in scrubs, the sanctuary boasts of a healthy forest with a good number of fruit-laden trees to feed the bears. The sloth bear, Melursus ursimus, one of eight species in the world, can only be found in India and Sri Lanka. With extremely sensitive noses, the bears can grow up to six feet while standing and weigh upto 140 kg.

Most bears are shy, but if you surprise them by getting to close they might attack. You are most likely to spot a bear in the evenings and early mornings. But you can spot them climbing in and out of their caves, from a watchtower facing the Karadikallu Gudda hill.

Also visit: Hampi, just 15 km away, for the most beautiful ruins amidst a landscape of piled boulders for hills. And the Tungabhadra Dam near Hospet and the Khishkinda Resort.

Area: 55.87 sq.km

Other animals: Leopard, wolf, jackal, striped hyena, wild boar, porcupine, bonnet macaque, mongoose, and about 90 species of birds and 27 species of butterflies.

Best time to visit: October to April. The sanctuary is open from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

How to get there:

Road: Hospet

Rail: Hospet

Air: Bangalore

Where to stay: Forest Guest House at Kamalapur and Gunda Forest Guest House at Vyasanakere near Hospet. Or at KSTDC's Mayur Bhuvaneshwari at Kamalapura.

Contact: The Range Forest Officer, ph: 08394 2242869.

The Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife sub-division, Ranebennur, ph: 08373 860394.

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