Takin (budorcas taxicolor white) the national animal of Bhutan will soon gain international recognition if Bhutan agrees to let it be part of an exhibition at Smithsonian Institution’s National zoo in Washington DC. It will be a part of Asia’s Trail Exhibit and be placed next to the famous giant pandas.
Ambassador to the permanent mission from Bhutan, Lhatu Wangchuk recommended that Bhutan agree to the proposal, as display of takin will promote Bhutan at international level.
Director of Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Dennis W Kelly said, we would like to educate people about species that inhibit regions of Asia and see how takin fits into the eco-system of Tibetan Plateau.
He further added that, they have already designated and designed a part of the zoo specifically for the takin.
The Minister for Agriculture and Forests, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said, he has not yet seen the proposals submitted so he is in no position to comment.
As per the Bhutan Foundation officials, every year more than three million visitors visit the zoo. And since most people come to view the giant pandas, placing takin next to pandas would give enough exposure to be noticed.
But it has also come to the limelight that because of growing Foot and Mouth disease in Bhutan, there are chances that, takin from Arunachal Pradesh might be considered instead of Bhutan’s. Dennies Kelly also said, if Bhutan is not interested, the exhibit could also be on Chinese takins r that can be sourced for other zoos in US and Europe In the meantime Bhutan Foundation Official also said that, demonstrating cultural and ecological landscapes of Butan would be a good idea to market Bhutan.
Bhutan’s takin is one of four sub-species of takins that exist in Asia. Mishmi, Sichuan, and Golden takins are the other sub-species found in northeast India, Myanmar and China and are geographically isolated from others.