Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kannod Tehsil of Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh[1]. It is spread over an area of 132 square kilometers. It is connected to Ratapani Tiger Reserve through corridors. The dry deciduous forest consists of teak and bamboo.
It has a presence of tigers, which have apparently migrated from Ratapani and colonized Kheoni. Leopards are present in significant numbers. Other commonly found carnivores are jungle cats, jackals and striped hyena. The dominant herbivores are nilgai, blackbuck, chinkara and chital (spotted deer). Sambars, Indian wild boar, barking deer, four-horned antelope are also present but rarely sighted.
According to the recent bird survey concluded in April, 2018, in which around 32 participants from Indore, Dewas, Ujjain and Bhopal, Kheoni has around 125 species of birds, including the state bird of Madhya Pradesh Indian paradise flycacher.[2]. The other birds in abundance are plum-headed parakeet, eurasian collared dove, laughing dove, chestnut shouldered petronia, common crow and black drongo.