Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary:- Located 160 kms from Cuttack in the deltaic region of Brahmani and Baitarani, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most renowned sanctuaries in Orissa. Popular for its crocodiles and turtles, the sanctuary is spread over 650 sq kms and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975. Converted into a national park in 1998, to preserve the turtles; the sanctuary has a thick mangrove forest which is home to a number of endangered and migratory birds.
Apart from reptiles, different types of mammals, birds, amphibians and fish are also found here. Out of 58 species of mangroves in India, 55 are available in Bhitarkanika Sanctuary. Endangered animals like saltwater crocodiles can also be viewed in the sanctuary. Bhitarkanika also offers several rare mammals such as Hyena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Smooth Coated Otter, Civet, Indian Porcupine, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer and Sambar. The endangered Lesser Adjutant Stork also breeds here. Visitors come to Bhitarkanika through Chandabali and Rajnagar.
Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary:- Chilika is the largest inland brackish water body of its kind in Asia. Covering a widespread area of 1100 sq kms in the district of Puri, Ganjam and Khurda, it forms an enormous and picturesque lagoon. Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for rich bio-diversity including the migratory birds and is the most visited wildlife sanctuaries in Orissa. It is home to various migratory and local birds such as Flamingo, White Bellied Sea Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Spotbilled Pelican, Barheaded Goose, Openbilled Stork, Spoonbill, Brahimny Duck, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveller, Ibis, Stilt, Heron, Egret, Avocet, Gull, Tern and King Fisher etc.
Apart from residents and migratory birds, Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Golden Jackals, Hyenas and many more. Rich in aquatic wildlife, this sanctuary houses Dolphin, Prawn, Crab, Limbless Lizard and Crustaceans. More than 225 species of fish including Acentrogobius Griseus, Alepes Djedaba, Arius and the Elops Machnata are also found here. The Lake region also supports over 350 species of non-aquatic plants. One of the most famous tourist attractions near Chilika is Kalijai Temple.
Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary:- Situated amidst Chandaka forests in Khurda district, Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the finest sanctuaries in the country with natural enclosures. Located 13 kms from Bhubneshwar, the wildlife sanctuary was established in 1979. A fusion of an animal zoo, a botanical garden, a lion Safari, Kanjia Lake and an amusement park, Nandankanan wildlife sanctuary is known for housing 67 kinds of mammals, 18 varieties of reptiles and 81 species of birds.
Some of the endangered species such as Asiatic Lion, Indian Crocodiles, Sangal Liontailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Pangolin and Mouse Deer can be found at Nandankanan. Tigers, including White tigers and Gharials are the main inhabitants of the sanctuary. One can enjoy the wildlife at Nandankanan on a safari bus which is specially designed to keep you safe and sound as you travel via the tiger and lion territory. Ropeway , boat and Toy Train rides can also be enjoyed at Nandankanan sanctuary.
Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary:- Spread over 796 square kilometers, in four districts of Orissa namely Angul, Boudh, Cuttack and Nayagarh, Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1976. It has an exclusive geomorphology feature as Mahanadi cuts it through the Eastern Ghats thus forming a wonderful gorge around 22 kms long. The sanctuary is popular for its deciduous forests and moist peninsular Sal forests. A varied array of fauna such as Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgai, Choushingha, Sloth Bear, and Wild Dog can be spotted here.
The sanctuary is also home to a wide variety of resident and migratory birds and reptilian species like Gharial, Mugger Crocodile, Fresh Water Turtle, poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. A Gharial Research and Conservation Unit at Tikarapada in the sanctuary is one of its distinctive features.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary:- Located in the Nuapada district close to the boundary of Chhatisgarh state on the western fringe of Orissa, Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary spreads over a sprawling area of 600 sq kms. Eleven magnificent waterfalls, mystic caves at Ranimuhas, splendid archaeological sites at Giribaman, the firm fort of Jumlagarh and the bird observation points at Jalki and Raital Bandh in Maraguda are some of the major attraction for the tourists visiting this sanctuary. The sanctuary is an ideal habitat for Barasingha. Declared as a Sanctuary in 1983, Sunabeda is home to 32 tigers and 36 leopards. Hyena, Barking Deer, Chital, Gaur, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Hill Myna, Pea Fowl, Partridge and a number of reptilian species also inhabit the sanctuary. Sunabeda is a part of the tourist route linking Nrushinghanath, Harishankar, Patal Ganga, Patora Reservoir and Jogeswar Temple.