Bhutan Takin

On November 25, 2005, the takin was designated as Bhutan’s national animal because of its bonds to the country’s religious history and myth. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan, also known as the Himalayan takin. The Takin is a small wild antelope found in many Bhutanese mountain ranges above 3500 meters throughout Asia and North America. The takin is vulnerable to extinction and the government is working to protect them. They are working to protect takins by managing their numbers and protecting their habitats.

During your trip to Bhutan, you’ll get to witness the takin, the country’s national animal. Takin is highly preserved by the Bhutanese government since it is also connected to mythology and religious history. The Takin is regarded as the national symbol of Bhutan in large part due to its distinctive characteristics and the fact that the majority of Bhutanese people like it as a pet and for its meat. The Takin is indeed a popular tourist attraction in Bhutan.

Some details about the national animal of Bhutan: Takin

Let’s start describing Bhutan Takin with some taxonomy. It belongs to the Bovidae subfamily of mammals, which also contains antelopes, oxen, sheep, and goats. Some of the most well-known creatures on the planet, such as cattle and other typical barnyard animals, are among the bovids. Also well-known are wild bovids like bison and wildebeest. Although it resembles a less shaggy musk ox, it is more closely linked to wild sheep.

Takins are found mostly in the bamboo forest above hills and feed themselves with grass, buds, and leaves. Bhutanese Takins consume a wide range of plants, including apparently unappealing foods such as rhododendron and evergreen trees (one biologist recorded 65 species in a Bhutan takin’s diet). Takin follows trails to salt licks, which not only contain minerals but may also able to contain plant toxins. They eat bamboo as food.

Takins are diurnal animals i.e.; they are active during the day. During summer takins mostly gather in a group of up to 100 animals whereas, in the winter season, they are divided into small groups of up to 10-15 takins. Another fact is that during winter, these animals incline towards lower elevations.

The four-legged (though the average weight is said to be around 200 kg) furry takin has a large nostril. Therefore, it can effortlessly maneuver through high-altitude in the dense bamboo forest despite its size. According to the San Diego Zoo (the first zoo in North America to show Takin) the huge, moose-like nose has vast sinus chambers to warm the air inhaled before it reaches the lungs. Takins would waste a lot of body heat just by breathing without this adaption. 

This takin is expected to weigh around 400Kg and it is reported the largest terrestrial mammal that lives in obscurity, according to the Nature Conservancy. Takin having a thick neck has a strong horn with a ridged base which is seen on both males and females.

Takin has an interesting characteristic. These are typically believed as alarm calls. According to the research, low-frequency vocalizations, which are best for transmitting a call across great distances, are found to be produced by the takin’s larynx. When this animal is a little frightened, it makes a “cough” alarm call, and the group immediately disappears into the dense bamboo forest and blends in with the landscape.

There are presently four recognized subspecies of the takin, each of which has a distinctive coat color: the Sichuan takin, Mishmi takin, Shaanxi takin, and Bhutan takin. Hunting and habitat loss are the biggest threats to the Bhutan Takin. However, the national animal of Bhutan, the takin, which the Bhutanese hunt and slaughter for its meat, has not received any protection. Additionally, police have frequently taken their horns from smugglers engaged in the illegal wildlife trade. The habitat of the animal has also been reduced by human interference. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the takin as vulnerable. There are only a small number of this takin left in the wild, based on certain estimations.

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Besides, there are other various wild animals found in Bhutan like Bharal, Goral, Serow, Musk Deer, Dhole, Binturong, Tibetan Wolf, and so on.

A little overview of the other wild animals found in Bhutan is given below.

• Bharal: The Himalayan Blue Sheep, also known as the Bharal, is a caprid species that can be found in the high-altitude of Himalayan regions and high valleys of Bhutan. The medium-sized sheep known as bharal are the preferred prey of snow leopards.
• Goral: The Himalayan Goral, a subspecies of bovid similar to serows, is widespread in Bhutan Himalayas. The Himalayan goral is a type of bovid, a little mammal that resembles an antelope or goat.
• Serow: Himalayan Serow, another large goat antelope that resembles gorals in appearance, can be seen roaming on steep hills in Bhutan. The number of Himalayan serows is in decline as a consequence of habitat loss.
• Musk Deer: The Himalayan Musk Deer is an animal that is protected under the laws in Bhutan and is listed as an endangered species. It can be found in the alpine forest in the hilly region and also in some portions of India, and Nepal.
• Dhole: One of the large mammal species that can be found in Central Asia is the dhole, often known as the Indian wild dog. They now only exist in Bhutan’s Jigme Dorji National Park.
• Binturong:  Binturong, a species of viperid popularly known as the bearcat, is often frequently found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The carnivorous mammals are not rare and are usually awake during the night and throughout the day.
• Tibetan Wolf: The Tibetan Wolf and the Himalayan Wolf are two subspecies of the grey wolf that can be found in Tibet, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Bhutan is home to red foxes, wild dogs, and Tibetan wolves.