Tremendous growth of the forests naturally accounts
for a widespread habitat for various species of wild animals. The Red
Data book of IUCN has recorded a total of 473 species of birds and 86
species of mammals, 19 species of amphibians and 110 species of reptiles
including three crocodilian species. Out of these around 54 species in
total are the endangered ones.
Home to a variety of wild animals, the state has declared considerable
tracts of land as areas protected for these animals only. These
protected areas constitute 10.37% of the total forest area and 4.1% of
the total geographical area of the state. Not only this, the state also
has the distinction of possessing 3 mass nesting beaches of endangered
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles which makes it the largest nesting ground of
the species.
Right from tigers, leopards, lions and elephants, peacocks, jungle
fowls and wild ducks to even dolphins; all can be seen cradled adoringly
in the lap of the state of Orissa. Apart form these, Wild Buffaloes,
Capped Langur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Gaur, Slow Loris,
Barking and Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear Mongoose, Flying Squirrel,
Porcupine, Turtle, Monitor Lizard, Python, Sambar, Pangolin, Crocodile
and Four Horned Antelope also find shelter in the forests of the state.
Not only the animals, but birds are also a very important constituent
of the fauna of Orissa. With its lakes inviting huge numbers of
migratory birds each year, the state is a real paradise of the bird
lovers. Grey Hornbill, Indian Pied Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill,
Indian Trogon, Red Jungle Fowl, Hill Mynah, Peafowl and Alexandrine
Parakeet can be seen here along with some of the beautiful resident
birds.
