Print — endangered-species-bhutan — BhutanWiki

The Kingdom of Bhutan, situated at the crossroads of the Indo-Malayan and Palearctic biogeographic realms, harbours an extraordinary concentration of biological diversity relative to its small size. The country spans an elevational range from approximately 150 metres in the subtropical southern foothills to over 7,500 metres in the glaciated northern peaks, creating a mosaic of habitats from tropical and subtropical forests through temperate broadleaf and coniferous zones to alpine meadows and permanent snow. This habitat diversity, combined with Bhutan's constitutional mandate to maintain a minimum of 60 per cent forest cover and a protected area network covering 51.44 per cent of the country's territory, makes Bhutan one of the most important conservation landscapes in the Eastern Himalayas.^[1]

Despite these favourable conditions, Bhutan is home to numerous species that are classified as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Threats include habitat fragmentation from road construction and development, human-wildlife conflict, climate change shifting species' altitudinal ranges, poaching, and the impacts of livestock grazing on wildlife habitat. The Royal Government of Bhutan, in partnership with international organisations including WWF Bhutan, has implemented conservation programmes targeting the country's most threatened species.^[2]

Flagship Endangered Species

Key Endangered Species of Bhutan
Species	IUCN Status	Estimated Population	Key Threats	Where to See
White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)	Critically Endangered	~60 globally; 29 confirmed in Bhutan (more than half the world population)	Habitat loss along river systems, disturbance, extremely low juvenile survival (~10%)	Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang river valleys
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)	Vulnerable	100-200 in Bhutan; ~134 estimated by camera-trap surveys	Habitat loss, poaching, retaliatory killings by herders, climate change	Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)	Endangered	~103 (2015 national survey)	Habitat fragmentation, prey depletion, human-wildlife conflict	Royal Manas National Park, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei)	Endangered	~6,000 in Bhutan (30% decline over 30 years)	Deforestation, human encroachment, habitat fragmentation, electrocution from power lines	Royal Manas National Park, Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Zhemgang and Trongsa districts
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)	Endangered	<10,000 globally; Bhutan a key stronghold	Habitat loss, bamboo die-off, climate change, poaching	Jigme Dorji National Park, Thrumshingla National Park, Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis)	Vulnerable	~350 wintering in Bhutan	Wetland drainage, agricultural expansion, power line collisions, disturbance	Phobjikha Valley (Gangtey), Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Gyetsa (Bumthang)
Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis)	Critically Endangered	<1,000 globally; small population in southern Bhutan	Grassland loss, agricultural conversion, hunting	Royal Manas National Park grasslands
Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee)	Endangered	Small population in southern Bhutan; exact numbers uncertain	Hybridisation with domestic buffalo, habitat loss, disease transmission	Royal Manas National Park
Takin (Budorcas taxicolor)	Vulnerable	Rarely sighted; no precise national estimate	Habitat disturbance, competition with livestock, poaching	Jigme Dorji National Park; Motithang Takin Preserve (Thimphu, captive)

White-bellied Heron

The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) is one of the rarest and most critically endangered birds in the world. With a global population estimated at fewer than 60 individuals, Bhutan holds more than half the world's known population, making it the single most important country for the species' survival. Surveys have confirmed 29 individuals in Bhutan, with additional small populations estimated at 6-8 birds in India and fewer than 25 in northern Myanmar. The species inhabits lowland river systems, particularly along the Punatshang Chhu and Mangde Chhu rivers in the districts of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang.^[3]

The white-bellied heron faces extremely low reproductive success, with juvenile survival rates of approximately 10 per cent. Threats include habitat degradation along river systems from sand mining, road construction, and hydropower development, as well as disturbance from human activities. The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) coordinates conservation efforts, including community awareness programmes, nest monitoring, and habitat protection initiatives.

Snow Leopard

Bhutan is one of 12 snow leopard range countries, with an estimated population of 100 to 200 individuals inhabiting alpine and subalpine zones above 3,500 metres. Camera-trap surveys have confirmed approximately 134 individuals. The species' range in Bhutan overlaps with high-altitude grazing lands, creating conflict with herding communities who suffer livestock predation. Retaliatory killings, while illegal, remain a threat. The Jigme Dorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial National Park are the primary protected habitats. WWF Bhutan has implemented community-based conservation programmes that include livestock insurance schemes to reduce retaliatory killing, camera-trap monitoring networks, and snow leopard-friendly livestock management practices.^[1]

Golden Langur

The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is endemic to a narrow range spanning parts of Bhutan and the Indian state of Assam. Bhutan holds the majority of the global population, estimated at approximately 6,000 individuals — a figure that represents a 30 per cent decline from estimates made 30 years ago. The species is primarily threatened by deforestation, expanding human settlements encroaching on forest habitat, and electrocution from uninsulated power lines that traverse forest canopy. Conservation efforts include biological corridor maintenance between protected areas, power line insulation programmes, and community forest management.^[4]

Black-necked Crane

Bhutan is one of the most important wintering grounds for the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), a species revered in Bhutanese culture and Buddhist tradition. Approximately 350 cranes winter in Bhutan between October and March, congregating in three principal valleys: Phobjikha (Gangtey) in Wangdue Phodrang, Bumdeling in Trashiyangtse, and Gyetsa in Bumthang. The cranes' arrival is celebrated with an annual Black-necked Crane Festival in Gangtey. Conservation challenges include wetland drainage for agriculture, power line collisions, and disturbance from tourism and development activities. The RSPN operates crane monitoring and habitat management programmes in all three wintering valleys.^[5]

Conservation Framework

Bhutan's conservation framework rests on several pillars:

Constitutional Mandate: Article 5 of the 2008 Constitution requires the government to maintain a minimum of 60 per cent of the country under forest cover for all time.
Protected Area Network: Ten national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves, connected by biological corridors, cover 51.44 per cent of the national territory.
Forest and Nature Conservation Act 1995: Provides the legal framework for wildlife protection, establishing penalties for poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products.
Community-Based Conservation: WWF Bhutan and RSPN implement community-based programmes including human-wildlife conflict mitigation, community monitoring, and alternative livelihood support.
International Partnerships: Bhutan participates in international conservation frameworks including CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and species-specific conservation action plans.

Emerging Threats

Climate change is emerging as a cross-cutting threat to Bhutan's wildlife. Rising temperatures are expected to shift the altitudinal ranges of alpine and subalpine species, potentially squeezing high-elevation specialists such as the snow leopard and red panda into shrinking habitat bands. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) threaten riverine habitats important for the white-bellied heron. Infrastructure development, particularly road construction and power line expansion, continues to fragment wildlife habitat. The rapid growth of Gelephu Mindfulness City in southern Bhutan, adjacent to Royal Manas National Park, will require careful environmental management to avoid adverse impacts on one of the country's most biodiverse protected areas.^[6]

Endangered Species of Bhutan