Abstract
The Bhutan Takin Budorcas whitei Lydekker, 1907 is endemic to Bhutan and it is categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While the other Takin species have been studied in China (Golden Takin B. bedfordi; Sichuan Takin B. tibetana) and India (Mishmi Takin B. taxicolor), only one study has focused on the Bhutan Takin. In this paper, we report the current distribution and conservation status of the Bhutan Takin using the information gathered through field surveys, interviews and unpublished reports. Bhutan Takin are seasonal migrants, occurring between 1500–5550 m, preferring areas in close proximity to river valleys and geothermal outlets (hot springs). Takin avoid areas that are disturbed by road construction and power transmission lines, and where they have to compete for forage with domestic livestock. Takin conservation in Bhutan requires: (1) a commitment to reduce disturbances from domestic livestock through better herding and animal husbandry practices, (2) environmentally friendly road construction, inclusive of wildlife corridors, (3) establishment of satellite offices and regularizing anti-poaching patrol systems, (4) development of education programs to enlist support for Takin conservation, and (5) encouragement of more research on the ecology and management needs of the species.
Highlights
The Takin Budorcas taxicolor (Hodgson, 1850) is a threatened forest-dwelling bovid native to the temperate and subtropical forests in eastern Asia
The Golden Takin B. bedfordi and the Sichuan Takin B. tibetana are both confined to China
The Mishmi Takin B. taxicolor ranges from southeast Tibet to the north-western Yunnan in China, with the central part of its range occurring in Arunachal Pradesh (India) and northern Myanmar (Song et al 2008; Dasgupta et al 2010; Mahar et al 2011)
Summary
The Takin Budorcas taxicolor (Hodgson, 1850) is a threatened forest-dwelling bovid native to the temperate and subtropical forests in eastern Asia. Several thousand Sichuan Takin are thought to inhabit the Qionglai and Min Mountains (Schaller 1985; Shackleton 1997) while the Mishmi Takin’s population is estimated at about 3,500 animals in China (Song et al 2008) and about 220300 animals in India (Dasgupta et al 2010; Mahar et al 2011); while the best estimate of the Bhutan Takin population size in Bhutan is 500–700 animals (Sharma et al 2015) Based on these various estimates, there are approximately 7,000–12,000 wild Takin across the range of the four recognized species. Our review, which is the first to focus on the Bhutan Takin, lays the foundation for a dedicated conservation and management programme in Bhutan
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
