Wild Animals of Jawai Beyond Leopards

Jawai Hills is a well-known spot that is famous among people because of leopard sightings. This is not a national park, but wild animals can be seen here roaming freely in their natural habitat. The leopards live here freely, and people come here to learn and see the coexistence of humans and leopards. This place is even known as Jawai leopard hills. But Jawai is not just about leopards. There are many other wild animals that call this place home. It’s a really special spot that is home to different species of animals. The other wild animals that can be seen during your Jawai leopard safari are: 

Hyenas 

One of the most common animals that are seen during the safari is are striped hyena. These animals are generally shy in nature and are seen during the evening safari rides. They move quietly and are usually seen following leopards from a distance. They wait for the leopards to eat the leftovers after the hunt. 

Hyenas are predators of small animals like rabbits and birds, and they can be seen hunting. They have a strange laughing sound, and it seems a little bit scary. So, if you’re going on a safari in the evening, then be prepared for it. They are nature’s cleaners because they eat dead animals and keep the area clean. Hyenas are an important part of the Jawai Hills. 

Indian desert foxes

The Jawai hills are also home to the desert foxes. These are small animals with reddish-grey fur, long tails, and sharp ears. They are not shy and can be seen easily during the morning Jawai safari. They are commonly seen during the safari, and many people even take some amazing pictures of these creatures during the ride. Just keep a safe distance from them and don’t feed them anything. 

Foxes feed on small animals and insects. They often eat fruits and look cute when they do that. Watching a fox run across the grasslands or hide between rocks is one of the cutest and most exciting things you can see during a Jawai leopard safari. 

Deer 

Another animal that can be found in the amazing area of Jawai is the deer. You can see herds of deer grazing in the bera and sena regions. You can often spot chinkaras (Indian gazelles), nilgais (blue bulls), and sometimes even sambar deer. They can be seen during the early morning and evening safari rides. 

They move quietly inside the hills, and they sometimes can be seen running across open land. Their alert ears and big eyes always look out for danger from the leopards. Even from a distance, they can hear you and feel your presence. Deer also attract big cats, which makes morning safaris more exciting. Seeing a leopard watching a deer from afar feels like you’re inside a real jungle movie

Sloth Bears 

Yes, sloth bears also call Jawai home. They are not commonly seen as leopards and other animals. They are the most shy animals in this area, and the sight of sloth bears is rare. They wander mostly around the rocky areas and the deep forest. They come out during the night, and because of that, they are not spotted during morning or evening safaris. 

They are shy animals, but you might spot them during the Jawai Safari ( if lucky). They love eating termites, honey, and fruits. If you are lucky, you might spot one walking slowly or digging the ground with its long claws. Guides say early morning safaris might give you a chance to see the footprints of sloth bears near the Jawai hills. 

Crocodiles 

People go for a safari near Jawai Bandh. It’s a big lake area and is home to mugger crocodiles. These crocodiles lie on the banks during the day and are seen easily during the Jawai Leopard safari. They look calm from a distance, but they can move very fast when needed. These are strong reptiles, and they mostly rule the area of water, just like leopards rule the area of black granite hills. 

It’s amazing to see how these crocodiles share the same area with leopards. If you go for a morning safari, then you might get a chance to see more crocodiles on the banks. In the evening, you may see their heads just above the water. It’s exciting to see them, but they look a bit scary, so keep a safe distance. 

The Colorful Birds

Jawai is an amazing spot to see some colorful bird species. A safari in the Jawai hills is a must for birdwatchers. This place is a home for more than 100 species of birds, and they can be seen easily during the ride. Some of the most common birds that are seen here are Flamingos, Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Peacocks, Eagles, and Vultures.

In winter, many migratory birds come near the Jawai Hills. You can see ducks, cranes, and bar-headed geese if you go for a safari in the winter season. Birdwatchers should definitely visit this amazing spot between November and February. Remember to carry binoculars and a camera if you’re going to the area for birdwatching. 

Rabbits and Small Creatures

Not all animals in Jawai are big and wild. There are many small animals in this area that maintain the food chain. When you go for a ride in Jawai, you might get the chance to see cute rabbits hopping around the grasslands early in the morning. There are also monitor lizards, porcupines, and even hedgehogs that can be seen on the rocks during safari.

During the Jawai leopard safari, the guide sometimes shows the tourists the fresh paw marks of these cute animals.  They may not be as famous as leopards, but they provide food for bigger animals and help in keeping nature balanced in this area. Spotting these cute animals feels amazing during the safari and adds extra joy to the safari experience. 

The Domestic Animals 

Jawai is home to the Rabari tribe. These people are shepherds, and they have domestic animals like goats, cows, camels, and sheep. They are also a part of this area, and tourists can see them during the ride. The Rabari tribe coexist with leopards, and they take care of their cattle and also respect the leopards and other animals around them.
The tribe believes that leopards are the protectors of the area and not enemies. And, leopards, too, don’t do anything wrong with the domestic animals and humans. You’ll often see herds of sheep walking peacefully across the same paths that leopards use. The leopards and shepherds understand each other’s space. This peaceful living between people, pets, and wild animals of the Jawai hills truly makes it an amazing spot to explore.