Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary

An elephant safari in the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal, India.

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, wildlife preserve in West Bengal state, northeastern India. The preserve was established in 1941 mainly for the protection of the great Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). It extends over an area of 84 square miles (217 square km) in the northern part of the state, near the Bhutan border, and is composed of forested flatlands dissected by the Torsa River and its tributaries. The forest cover consists mainly of scattered teak and tall grass. Also within the sanctuary are swamp deer, leopards, sambars, hog deer, barking deer, wild pigs, jungle fowl, peafowl, quail, and an occasional elephant or tiger (including Bengal tiger). There are riding elephants available in the preserve.