More than half of Bhutan is protected as national park, wildlife sanctuary or biological corridor, making it one of the most intact ecosystems in the Himalaya.
Remarkable animals
- Takin — Bhutan's national animal, a curious goat-antelope
- Red panda, Himalayan black bear and the elusive snow leopard
- Bengal tigers, recorded at altitudes higher than anywhere else in the world
- Golden langur, a rare monkey found only in this region
- Black-necked cranes, which winter in Phobjikha and Bumdeling
Birds and flowers
Bhutan is a birdwatcher's dream, with hundreds of species from hornbills in the south to blood pheasants in the high forests. In spring the hillsides blaze with dozens of species of rhododendron, while blue poppies — the national flower — bloom on high passes in summer.
Where to see it
- Phobjikha valley — black-necked cranes in winter
- Royal Manas National Park — tropical forest and wildlife in the south
- Jigme Dorji National Park — takins and high mountain wildlife on treks
- The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu
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Header photo: Drajay1976, CC BY-SA 4.0
