The lion-tailed macaques of Valparai

A shy, exclusively fruit-eating, arboreal primate endemic to the Western Ghats, the lion-tailed macaque has been classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as endangered. Reduced to a few thousands thanks to their picky eating habits in a shrinking rainforest, such as at Valparai in Tamil Nadu, lion-tailed macaques are in danger of extinction.

 

With its young one. The baby macaque is chewing on a flower.

On the road at Valparai waiting for tourists, who bring them bananas.

Exploring the roof of a car.

At home on the treetops.

A chance meeting with a full-grown tiger when he was resting on the forest floor, perhaps after a heavy meal.

Annoyed elephants step back into the tea estate, seeing cars lining up on the road bisecting the forest.

Wild bisons, or Indian gaur, are usually found in large herds of several dozens, sometimes, even hundreds, in Valparai.

The Western Ghats are a treasure trove of biodiversity. Here a view of the dense forests at the lower elevations at Valparai.

A tiny snake, probably Beddome’s Cat snake.

Malabar gliding frog.

Malabar gliding frog with its young one on its back.

Vestigial forests still peep from behind the tea and spice estates of Valparai which had, for decades, remained hidden from the hordes of tourists who invade nearby Ooty.

Vestigial forests still peep from behind the tea and spice estates of Valparai which had, for decades, remained hidden from the hordes of tourists who invade nearby Ooty.

Athirappilly Falls in Kerala, about 80 km from Valparai. Here, the Chalakkudy river, which originates in the Anaimudi range, plunges 90 feet down in a spectacular torrent.

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A lion-tailed macaque on its perch at the tea estate at Puthuthottam, in Valparai.