The sanctuary takes its name from the Bhadra River, its lifeline. Popularly known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, after the village on its periphery, it was declared a Project Tiger reserve. But apart from the tiger, it is a great place to sight and observe other mammals, reptiles, and more than 250 species of birds, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Muthodi is the southern part of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and is located in one of the most picturesque forest patches here. The sanctuary is also home to the Jagara Giant, the largest teak tree in the state which has a girth of 5.1 m with a height of 32 m and is said to be around 400 years old. Bhadra Tiger Reserve spans about 500 square km, spread across two districts Shivamogga and Chikmagalur districts.