The chances of you hearing about the Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve in everyday conversation are low. It's not that it's not well-known, it is, after all, touted to have the second largest population of blackbucks in Karnataka after Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Haveri. It's often overlooked since most Bangaloreans, with no fault of their own, don't look at Tumkur as a road trip destination. We're hoping this recommendation might change that a little bit.
According to a new report in 2023, over 2,000 wild blackbucks live in the reserve after a 2022 census. Being Tumkur's only notified protected area, it's a great spot to watch blackbucks in the wild. There's a whole 798 acres of blackbucks roaming about, resting, foraging, and sprinting away whenever they spot humans closer than comfort. Since it's just about 2.5 hours from Bangalore, it makes for a great morning road trip to the reserve and spend a day going about exploring the reserve.
Apart from blackbucks, the reserve is home to animals such as the Indian wolf, jungle cat, Indian civet, and Indian fox. There are no apex predators in the reserve. The reserve also offers a spot for birdwatching with a reported population of birds such as the Indian Courser and Painted Sandgrouse.
