15 incredible wild animals of Bhutan
From tigers and rhinos to red pandas and blue sheep, Bhutan is one of those small countries with an outsized punch when it comes to hosting some truly remarkable and diverse wildlife! Here are just 15 of the incredible wild animals to try spot Bhutan.
1. Takin
Scientific name: Budorcus taxicolor Family: Bovidae Conservation status: Vulnerable Best place to see it: Jigme Dorji National Park or Motithang Takin Preserve
The takin, a generally unaggressive herbivore, is the national animal of Bhutan. That seems fitting, as Bhutan is a very peaceful nation.
2. Bengal tiger
Scientific name: Panthera tigris tigris Family: Felidae Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: Royal Manas National Park
Did you know that the Bengal tiger has the longest canines of any cat?
3. Himalayan black bear
Scientific name: Ursus thibetanus laniger Family: Ursidae Conservation status: Vulnerable Best place to see it: The orchards around Thimphu city
4. Indian rhino
Scientific name: Rhinoceros unicornis Family: Rhinocerotidae Conservation status: Vulnerable Best place to see it: Royal Manas National Park
The recovery of the greater one-horned rhino is among the greatest conservation success stories in Asia.
5. Himalayan serow (or thar)
Scientific name: Capricornis sumatraensis thar Family: Bovidae Conservation status: Vulnerable Best place to see it: Motithang Takin Preserve
6. Snow leopard
Scientific name: Panthera uncia Family: Felidae Conservation status: Vulnerable Best place to see it: National parks of northern Bhutan
7. Gee's golden langur
Scientific name: Trachypithecus geei Family: Primate Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: Royal Manas National Park
8. Indian elephant
Scientific name: Elephas maximus indicus Family: Elephantidae Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: Royal Manas National Park
If you're keen to see Bhutan's subtropical animals like elephants, rhinos and tigers, you need to head to Royal Manas National Park in the southeast of the country.
9. Blue sheep (bharal)
Scientific name: Pseudois nayaur Family: Bovidae Conservation status: Least concern Best place to see it: Anywhere in the Himalayas of northern Bhutan
Excitingly, there's a very good chance you'll see bharal on mountainsides and ridges if you go trekking in the Himalayas of Bhutan.
10. Red panda
Scientific name: Ailurus fulgens Family: Ailuridae Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: Sakteng and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuaries in eastern Bhutan
The Bhutanese associate spotting a red panda in the wild with good luck!
11. Ussuri dhole
Scientific name: Cuon alpinus Family: Canidae Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: We'd all like to know!
12. Assam macaque
Scientific name: Macaca assamensis Family: Cercopithecidae Conservation status: Near threatened Best place to see it: Anywhere in Bhutan
13. Musk deer
Scientific name: Moschus chrysogaster and Moschus leucogaster Family: Moschidae Conservation status: Endangered Best place to see it: The forest around Dochu La
14. Black-necked crane
Scientific name: Grus nigricollis Family: Gruidae Conservation status: Near threatened Best place to see it: Phobjikha Valley
Black-necked cranes forage in groups on the ground, usually with one bird standing sentinel.
15. White-bellied heron
Scientific name: Ardea insignis Family: Ardeidae Conservation status: Critically endangered Best place to see it: Puna Tsang River near Wangdue Phodrang
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