Covered with tropical evergreen forests, this sanctuary is named after Talakaveri, the origin of the Cauvery River which lies on the eastern edge of the sanctuary.

The sanctuary is home to elephant, tiger, leopard, leopard cat, wild dog, jackal, gaur, wild pig, sloth bear, lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, common langur, sambar deer, spotted deer, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri marten, common palm civet, brown palm civet, clawless otter, common mongoose, brown mongoose, striped-necked mongoose, ruddy mongoose and porcupine. Snakes include the king cobra, rat snake, cobra and python. The Great pied hornbill, Malabar trogon, fairy bluebird, broad billed roller and black eagle are among the birds species.

The Talakaveri area is ideal for trekking. Igguthappadevara Betta is the nearby tourist spot.

November to March is ideal to visit the sanctuary. The forest rest house at Talkaveri provides accommodation to visitors.

By road, from Mysore to Madikeri (120 km) via Kushalnagar and on to Bhagamandala (35 km), which is 8 km from the eastern boundary of the sanctuary.