The park covers approximately 200 acres of protected forest land.
It is specifically designed as a rescue and rehabilitation center rather than a commercial zoo.
The project was established to reduce visitor pressure on the historic Kodanad Elephant Training Centre.
The enclosure design allows elephants to roam significantly more freely than in conventional urban zoos.
The site includes dedicated medicinal plant zones used for educational demonstrations.
Abhayaranyam Kaprikkadu is a forest-based rehabilitation and ecotourism project situated along the banks of the Periyar River. The facility serves as a sanctuary for elephants and spotted deer rescued from various parts of Kerala. It acts as an extension of the nearby Kodanad Elephant Training Centre, focusing on naturalistic animal welfare in a forested environment. Visitors can observe the animals in large, open-air enclosures that mimic their natural habitat. The site is managed by the Kerala Forest Department to promote sustainable wildlife interaction. The landscape consists of dense tropical foliage and diverse flora indigenous to the Western Ghats. It is designed to provide a quieter, more spacious alternative to traditional zoo settings. The area serves as an educational hub for understanding human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the region.
The elevated observation decks overlooking the river and the forest clearing where deer congregate.
Bring ample water and sun protection as the walking trails are mostly unshaded.
Keep a respectful distance from the deer, as they are free-roaming within designated zones.
Visit during the early morning hours to see the animals most active before the heat of the day.
Do not attempt to touch or hand-feed the deer; avoid making loud noises near the elephant enclosures.
Closed on Mondays for maintenance.
Maintain silence to avoid stressing the rescued animals; do not feed wildlife; avoid wearing brightly colored clothing.
