Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is a small but important protected area in Chennai's Chengalpattu district. It is India's oldest waterfowl sanctuary, with over 40,000 birds visiting each winter, including many migrants and various endangered species. Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, a 1998 Government Order designated this lake area (73 acres) and a five-kilometre radius around it as a wildlife sanctuary. Despite being a small protected area, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is one of Tamil Nadu's oldest sanctuaries, having been founded in 1798 by the British Government. Monkeys, along with fish, are the most common animals that can be seen at the sanctuary. A visit to the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary will allow you to see up to 4000 migratory birds, including endangered species.