The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include Rare Birds, Deer and Tiger. Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals as in this park, which was declared a National Park in 1980. Silent Valley holds one of the last viable breeding population of the hughly endangered primate of the lion tailed macaque.
The best season to visit Silent Valley is between December and March; in April and May the park may be closed due to forest fires. Permits are issued from the park office in Mannarkkad ( 04924/222056). The observation tower ensures a panoramic view of the park. You are also permitted to follow a 2km trail down the steep side of the valley to the Kunthipuzha river, spanned by a suspension bridge.
The Wild Population of Silent Valley
The park has a huge variety of wildlife, with over a 100 species of Butterflies and 400 species of Moths and other animals like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-Tailed Macaque.The park has around 26 species of mammals and 120 species of avifauna, many of them considered endangered. Apart from these, there are 11 species of snakes, 19 species of amphibians, 211 types of birds , 128 types of butterflies and nine species of Lizards in the park.
The Silent Valley has over 110 plant species of medicinal value, and seven new plant species have been discovered here.