Nesting in the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park, set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. It is one of the tiger reserves in the country. A popular game resort of the rulers of Mysore, the flora in the forest comprises Teak, Rosewood, Honne, Mathi, Bamboo and Sandal Trees. The important animals in the park are Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital and Sambar. Birds like the Peafowl, Partridge, Quail, Hornbill and Ibis are also found here. Apart from these, Dhole(wild dog), Sambar, Muntjac or Barking Deer, Giant Squirrel and sometimes Sloth Bear and Nocturnal Porcupine and Blacknaped Hare may be seen in the sanctuary. Well planned motorable roads close to the perennial and seasonal water points, and adequate open space in the jungle allow visitors to observe animals closely, particularly elephant herds, by car. It is always advisable to maintain a safe distance from these large animals even if you are in your car. Pug marks on soft earth in the permissible tourism zone attest to the presence of tigers, though they are rarely sighted. Much less seen is the leopard, the other major carnivore. Visitors can hire elephants or a vehicle to go round the park. They can also visit the nearby Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The Moyar River forms a natural boundary between the two.