SURVEY OF SNOW LEOPARD PREY REVEALS ‘NOAH'S ARK' OF WILDLIFE IN BHUTAN

The first ever snow leopard prey survey in Bhutan’s newest national park has revealed astonishing footage of snow leopards scent-marking, a sub-adult snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, threatened Himalayan serow, musk deer and a healthy population of blue sheep, the main food source for snow leopards.

This is the first visual evidence that snow leopards are thriving in Wangchuck Centennial Park, a vital snow leopard corridor between Jigme Dorji National Park in the West and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the East. Field biologists from the Government of Bhutan and WWF captured over 10,000 images during the camera trap survey in Wangchuck Centennial Park.

The automatic cameras were set up to locate snow leopard “hot-spots”, but in addition to snow leopard images, they also captured images and footage of Tibetan wolf, wild dog, red fox, blue sheep, Himalayan serow, musk deer, Pika, pheasants and several birds of prey.

“The findings are phenomenal as these are the first snow leopard images recorded in Wangchuck Centennial Park,” said WWF's Dr. Rinjan Shrestha, who led the survey team. “It suggests that the network of protected areas and corridors is helping to link local snow leopard populations, which will be invaluable to ensure long-term persistence of snow leopards in the region.”

Snow leopards are elusive and endangered, with around 4,500-7,500 in the wild. Bhutan is the only country on Earth where the habitat of snow leopards and tigers intersect. It’s unknown how many exist there, but it’s critical to find out as threats are mounting – from retaliatory killing from herders, loss of habitat to farmers and poaching for their pelts. And then there’s climate change.

Warming at high elevations in the Himalayas is causing treelines to ascend and isolating snow leopard populations. Under a high emission scenario, as much as 30 percent of their range could be lost. Their ability to move upslope is limited by oxygen availability.

The overall goal of the survey is to determine how many snow leopards there are in Wangchuck and where they exist, in order to prioritize the best areas for conservation.

“The snow leopard images from the park show the incredible richness of wildlife thriving in Wangchuck Centennial Park and prove why the park must be supported by donor agencies for conservation,” said Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan. “For snow leopard conservation in Bhutan, Wangchuck Centennial Park acts as the critical linkage between Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and Jigme Dorji National Park, thereby ensuring the functionality of the northern Bhutan conservation complex.”

The Government of Bhutan and WWF have partnered to co-manage Wangchuck Centennial Park since it was designated as Bhutan’s tenth national park in 2008. With 244 vascular plant species, 23 mammal species and 134 bird species, the park is rich in biodiversity. It’s dedication resulted in Bhutan having more than half its land under protection. The Government of Bhutan and WWF work together on species conservation, climate change studies, monitoring, patrolling and community conservation projects.

“WWF has a special commitment to Wangchuck Centennial Park, especially because we were invited to co-manage it with the government in 2005,” said Shubash Lohani of WWF’s Eastern Himalayas program. “It was the first time Bhutan entrusted an entity other than government to manage a protected area.”

Footage and photographs Include endangered snow leopard scent-spraying, Tibetan wolf, threatened Himalayan serow and musk deer

 

** IMAGES AND VIDEO ON REQUEST: 01483 412 383 OR EMAILbward@wwf.org.uk**

CONTACT: WWF-UK press office on 01483 412 383 or emailbward@wwf.org.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS:
• About WWFWWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. www.wwf.org.uk

• WWF-UK runs a snow leopard adoption scheme that allows the public to contribute funds to vital conservation work in Nepal's Himalayas - another important habitat for the snow leopard. For more information go to:www.wwf.org.uk/snowleopard 


http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?5686/SURVEY-OF-SNOW-LEOPARD-PREY-REVEALS-NOAHS-ARK-OF-WILDLIFE-IN-BHUTAN

Bird flu hits Thimphu

hangedaphu (Kalabazar) A bird flu outbreak in Thimphu was confirmed yesterday afternoon after the deaths of 38 chickens in the past week at the camp in Changedaphu (Kalabazar).

Another 11 were found sick. These birds are from five houses that had 49 birds in all. The National Centre for Animal Health in Serbithang confirmed the outbreak.

By last evening, a team of officials from the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), the livestock department, health, police and city officials had dug a two-feet deep pit to dispose the culled birds.

An emergency meeting of the National Incident Command Centre (NICC) for bird flu was held yesterday following the deaths.

The culling began last night after the team reached Thimphu from Tshimasham. “Since the place is within the city it could pose a high risk for human health although this is the first case in the city,” officials said.

Livestock officials said the birds had started dying since January 8, but were informed by the residents only on January 12, after the death of two birds, which tested positive for bird flu.

Dairy division chief with the livestock department and the spokesperson for bird flu, Dr Tashi Dorji, said the residents had already buried nine dead birds.

The disease, according to Dr Tashi Dorji, is similar to a disaster, with no treatment besides culling. “The H5N1 virus infects humans as well, and people should avoid eating eggs and chicken from the flu-affected areas,” he said.

While the investigation to find the source of infection is on, officials suspect the flu could have spread from Tshimasham, where the flu outbreak was first reported. “Tshimasham could be a possible source, and it could also be wild birds, such as pigeons,” Dr Tashi Dorji said.

The team will start spraying disinfectant today at the junction of Kuenselphodrang and Kalabazar.  Areas around Thimphu such as Samarzingkha, Police camp, RICB, Hospital area, Upper Changzamtog are considered high risk areas.

There are 17,144 birds alone under Thimphu Dzongkhag excluding those in the city area as per the poultry population report, 2011.

Meanwhile, just three days after the six-month ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from India was lifted, the ban is re-imposed following an outbreak of bird flu at Orissa, India. All BAFRA permits related to poultry and poultry products that have been granted to date will be considered cancelled.

By Tashi Yangzom

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2011/?p=25054

Road Through Yeti Territory Set To Begin Construction

In efforts to shave off travel time between Tawang and Guwahati in India, a road is being constructed through the Bhutanese territory. Why is this relevant to us paranormal/crypto enthusiasts?


If you recall, the Bhutan territory is home to the Yeti and the recent controversy of possible Yeti hairs found by the television show crew from Destination Truth.

For years, there has been reports of a “wild man” that is seen running through these parts. Described as ape-like in appearance, the creature is feared by the locals who seen it and who are aware of the legends.

With this new road being constructed that cuts through the protected Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary – a sanctuary built for the yeti- I’m sure that if a creature, that has been reported for centuries does exits, then we will be hearing a lot of reports by drivers from these roads.

Full source: HindustanTimes

Locals here have for ages lived in awe of a ‘monster’ called China. They are now wary of being haunted by another — the mythical Himalayan yeti. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is developing a road through Bhutan to have faster access to the western district of Tawang, around 550 km northeast of Assam capital Guwahati.

In close proximity to this road is Bhutan’s Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary — a 650 sq km reserve created specifically to protect the habitat of the yeti or abominable snowman, known in Bhutan as the migoi, or strong man.

This road via Udalguri in Assam connects the Bhutanese district of Trashigang before terminating at Tawang. “This road is expected to be completed in three years,” Tawang deputy commissioner Gamli Padu said.

There is a sense of fear among the locals. But they are enthused by the possibility of this unseen mythological monster, known for scaring campers, boosting tourism in Tawang.

“We fear the yeti,” says Tawang-based trader Yishe Jungney. “But we know it means no harm unlike them,” he added, pointing towards Tibet.

The BRO, though, has refused to talk about the road through the tiny Buddhist country.

“We are only working on a shortcut to Tawang that reduces travel from Guwahati by 93 km,” said a senior officer of the 14 Border Roads Task Force based in Tenga, 205 km south of Tawang.

Road Through Yeti Territory Set To Begin Construction

In efforts to shave off travel time between Tawang and Guwahati in India, a road is being constructed through the Bhutanese territory. Why is this relevant to us paranormal/crypto enthusiasts?


If you recall, the Bhutan territory is home to the Yeti and the recent controversy of possible Yeti hairs found by the television show crew from Destination Truth.

For years, there has been reports of a “wild man” that is seen running through these parts. Described as ape-like in appearance, the creature is feared by the locals who seen it and who are aware of the legends.

With this new road being constructed that cuts through the protected Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary – a sanctuary built for the yeti- I’m sure that if a creature, that has been reported for centuries does exits, then we will be hearing a lot of reports by drivers from these roads.

Full source: HindustanTimes

Locals here have for ages lived in awe of a ‘monster’ called China. They are now wary of being haunted by another — the mythical Himalayan yeti. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is developing a road through Bhutan to have faster access to the western district of Tawang, around 550 km northeast of Assam capital Guwahati.

In close proximity to this road is Bhutan’s Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary — a 650 sq km reserve created specifically to protect the habitat of the yeti or abominable snowman, known in Bhutan as the migoi, or strong man.

This road via Udalguri in Assam connects the Bhutanese district of Trashigang before terminating at Tawang. “This road is expected to be completed in three years,” Tawang deputy commissioner Gamli Padu said.

There is a sense of fear among the locals. But they are enthused by the possibility of this unseen mythological monster, known for scaring campers, boosting tourism in Tawang.

“We fear the yeti,” says Tawang-based trader Yishe Jungney. “But we know it means no harm unlike them,” he added, pointing towards Tibet.

The BRO, though, has refused to talk about the road through the tiny Buddhist country.

“We are only working on a shortcut to Tawang that reduces travel from Guwahati by 93 km,” said a senior officer of the 14 Border Roads Task Force based in Tenga, 205 km south of Tawang.

Was it a Eureka moment?

14 November, 2010 - In the documentary Lost Land of the Tigers, BBC’s camera traps caught two Royal Bengal tigers at 4100 m in our mountains. This they claimed was not only an exciting new science but also proved that these majestic cats lived through out Bhutan. The documentary stunned experts and fascinated about 5 million viewers but it was not new to Bhutanese.


Bhutan is filled with local legends of tigers and it must be one of the few countries to name a mountain after this majestic cat. Bhutanese have known that the tiger habitat spreads throughout the country and in altitudes that is generally not regarded as tiger country.

An English man was the first to record the evidence in 1975. However, until 2000, tiger experts around the world continued to believe that these cats moved as high as 2600 meters and never beyond.

“There has been two authentic records in recent years of one tiger at over 10,000 feet [3,048 m], another at 14,000 feet [4,267 m] Malcolm Lyell, the former, Managing Director of the Holland and Holland Gun Company noted during his fifth visit to Bhutan in 1975.

Like Lyell, Bhutanese have also documented these majestic cats. From 1996 to 2008, there have been at least four documentary footages of tigers above 3000 m. In 1996, 20 Bhutanese foresters led by renowned tiger enthusiast Mr. Charles Mcdougal found signs of tigers living at about 10,000 to 11,000 ft and higher.

In 2000, Dr. Pralad Yonzon, a wildlife biologist who had been hired as a consultant, recorded the first evidence of tigers living above 3000 meters at the Thrumshingla National Park. With the help of Bhutanese he set up camera traps that took photographs of the tiger (See photo). The research team also found pugmarks on snow-covered ground at Puchela (4,100 m) in the same park. Armed with new evidence, WWF, Bhutan broke the news and hoped to put to rest the “doubts in the minds of skeptics.”

Six years ago, Bhutanese were shocked to learn that tigers had killed cattle north of the capital, Thimphu, at 3,400 m further confirming the WWF’s statement. In 2008, one of the camera traps in Jigme Dorji National Park filmed a Royal Bengal Tiger at 4,200 meters in the snow.

Bhutan is not the only country where tigers inhabit the high altitude. There are evidences that two other Himalayan Buddhist kingdoms of Tibet and Sikkim also offered sanctuary to these majestic animals. Unfortunately in Nepal they were hunted and according to Lyell, it was unlikely that they were found above 3000 meters [ 9842 ft] because of the rampant hunting.

Lyell credited Bhutan for being the greatest preserve of wildlife in Asia. He attributed this to various factors, “Buddhism (not killing), huge areas of forest protect the forest animals and birds, few firearms, in north no firearms and blue sheep - takin, very much regarded as Royal game (although they are in fact almost the most numerous)”.

Lyell was always fascinated with Bhutan’s rich biodiversity and awed by the country’s determination to conserve the environment. In 1975, he gave a lecture on, Wild Animals of Bhutan in London. He said that while a frequent visitor described Bhutan as the Enchanted Land, another regular guest illustrated it as, ‘A Land of Exquisite Politeness.’ But he could not think of two more perfect descriptions than, ‘A Sanctuary for many of Asia’s animal species. ”

Tiger Population
Lyell’s handwritten lecture notes talk about the tiger population in Bhutan probably making it the first documented evidence. He had three sources and all of them mentioned different numbers. According to his first source Dorji a foresters, it was estimated at 250. His second source was, “other Bhutanese who has also known the country well,” who said they were, “far more.” The third King was his third source. “On my first visit to Bhutan five years ago the Late King talked in terms of a thousand or more.”

Lyell was convinced that tigers had a safe sanctuary in Bhutan. He said, “it is probable that their population is not much different to what it was 15 years ago when the first roads were built or even 50 or 100 years ago-simply because the southern region is little inhabited, the forests have not been cut, and the basic food of tiger, namely pig & deer are there in abundance.” In his conclusion, Lyell stated that in any case there were definitely more tigers per square mile in Bhutan than in any of the near by countries where it is known to be common.


According to the last survey (McDougal & Tshering 1998), based on two different densities of tigers based on habitat type and elevation; there are more tigers in the south with a density of 1 tiger per 50 sq Km whereas in the central Himalayan region (temperate forest) the density is 1 tiger per 185 sq Km.

Today, the Wild Life Conservation Division is doing a more scientific nation wide census of the tiger. As of now, the population is estimated to be between 100-150 tigers. However, as the current tiger survey nears conclusion, Karma Jigme, of the WCD said that the actual number of tigers living above 4000 meters could be confirmed only after survey.

Contributed by Tshering Tashi

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17346

Was it a Eureka moment?

14 November, 2010 - In the documentary Lost Land of the Tigers, BBC’s camera traps caught two Royal Bengal tigers at 4100 m in our mountains. This they claimed was not only an exciting new science but also proved that these majestic cats lived through out Bhutan. The documentary stunned experts and fascinated about 5 million viewers but it was not new to Bhutanese.


Bhutan is filled with local legends of tigers and it must be one of the few countries to name a mountain after this majestic cat. Bhutanese have known that the tiger habitat spreads throughout the country and in altitudes that is generally not regarded as tiger country.

An English man was the first to record the evidence in 1975. However, until 2000, tiger experts around the world continued to believe that these cats moved as high as 2600 meters and never beyond.

“There has been two authentic records in recent years of one tiger at over 10,000 feet [3,048 m], another at 14,000 feet [4,267 m] Malcolm Lyell, the former, Managing Director of the Holland and Holland Gun Company noted during his fifth visit to Bhutan in 1975.

Like Lyell, Bhutanese have also documented these majestic cats. From 1996 to 2008, there have been at least four documentary footages of tigers above 3000 m. In 1996, 20 Bhutanese foresters led by renowned tiger enthusiast Mr. Charles Mcdougal found signs of tigers living at about 10,000 to 11,000 ft and higher.

In 2000, Dr. Pralad Yonzon, a wildlife biologist who had been hired as a consultant, recorded the first evidence of tigers living above 3000 meters at the Thrumshingla National Park. With the help of Bhutanese he set up camera traps that took photographs of the tiger (See photo). The research team also found pugmarks on snow-covered ground at Puchela (4,100 m) in the same park. Armed with new evidence, WWF, Bhutan broke the news and hoped to put to rest the “doubts in the minds of skeptics.”

Six years ago, Bhutanese were shocked to learn that tigers had killed cattle north of the capital, Thimphu, at 3,400 m further confirming the WWF’s statement. In 2008, one of the camera traps in Jigme Dorji National Park filmed a Royal Bengal Tiger at 4,200 meters in the snow.

Bhutan is not the only country where tigers inhabit the high altitude. There are evidences that two other Himalayan Buddhist kingdoms of Tibet and Sikkim also offered sanctuary to these majestic animals. Unfortunately in Nepal they were hunted and according to Lyell, it was unlikely that they were found above 3000 meters [ 9842 ft] because of the rampant hunting.

Lyell credited Bhutan for being the greatest preserve of wildlife in Asia. He attributed this to various factors, “Buddhism (not killing), huge areas of forest protect the forest animals and birds, few firearms, in north no firearms and blue sheep - takin, very much regarded as Royal game (although they are in fact almost the most numerous)”.

Lyell was always fascinated with Bhutan’s rich biodiversity and awed by the country’s determination to conserve the environment. In 1975, he gave a lecture on, Wild Animals of Bhutan in London. He said that while a frequent visitor described Bhutan as the Enchanted Land, another regular guest illustrated it as, ‘A Land of Exquisite Politeness.’ But he could not think of two more perfect descriptions than, ‘A Sanctuary for many of Asia’s animal species. ”

Tiger Population
Lyell’s handwritten lecture notes talk about the tiger population in Bhutan probably making it the first documented evidence. He had three sources and all of them mentioned different numbers. According to his first source Dorji a foresters, it was estimated at 250. His second source was, “other Bhutanese who has also known the country well,” who said they were, “far more.” The third King was his third source. “On my first visit to Bhutan five years ago the Late King talked in terms of a thousand or more.”

Lyell was convinced that tigers had a safe sanctuary in Bhutan. He said, “it is probable that their population is not much different to what it was 15 years ago when the first roads were built or even 50 or 100 years ago-simply because the southern region is little inhabited, the forests have not been cut, and the basic food of tiger, namely pig & deer are there in abundance.” In his conclusion, Lyell stated that in any case there were definitely more tigers per square mile in Bhutan than in any of the near by countries where it is known to be common.


According to the last survey (McDougal & Tshering 1998), based on two different densities of tigers based on habitat type and elevation; there are more tigers in the south with a density of 1 tiger per 50 sq Km whereas in the central Himalayan region (temperate forest) the density is 1 tiger per 185 sq Km.

Today, the Wild Life Conservation Division is doing a more scientific nation wide census of the tiger. As of now, the population is estimated to be between 100-150 tigers. However, as the current tiger survey nears conclusion, Karma Jigme, of the WCD said that the actual number of tigers living above 4000 meters could be confirmed only after survey.

Contributed by Tshering Tashi

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17346