It ranks 14th among all the states and union territories of India in terms of total protected area.
[1] Protected areas in South India were created from private hunting grounds of the erstwhile Maharajas of the princely states.
Mudumalai National Park was established in 1940 and was the first modern wildlife sanctuary in South India.
[2] Tamil Nadu has five National Parks covering 307.84 km2 (118.86 sq mi).
There are two zoos recognised by the Central Zoo Authority of India namely Arignar Anna Zoological Park and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, both located in Chennai.