Guwahati: Researchers have made significant findings on one of India’s most elusive and endangered animals—the Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor). This large, mountain-dwelling goat-antelope, native to the high-altitude forests of the Himalayas, has been difficult to study due to its remote habitat and solitary nature.
A year-long study conducted from July 2018 to March 2019 by a research team led by Deepankar Barman and Awadhesh Kumar of the Wildlife Resources and Conservation Laboratory at NERIST, alongside collaborators M. Firoz Ahmed from Aaranyak and Ashalata Devi from Tezpur University, captured nearly 200 images of a community of around 27 Mishmi Takins, including adults, sub-adults, juveniles, and calves in the dense forests of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary.
Although the researchers did not directly encounter the Mishmi Takin, they conducted foot surveys and found telltale signs such as dung, footprints, and grazing marks, which indicated the animals’ presence. To confirm these findings, the team set up ten strategically placed camera traps.
This marks the first time the Mishmi Takin has been caught on camera in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. Previously, it had only been captured on camera in Namdapha National Park and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Among the most intriguing revelations was the Mishmi Takin’s seasonal migration pattern. As winter cold settled on the higher altitudes, the animals moved to lower regions, offering the researchers an unusual opportunity to observe them in the relatively more accessible lowland subtropical forests,” noted the study published in Records of the Zoological Survey of India.
Observations indicated that the takins travel in small herds, typically ranging from 3 to 8 individuals. During the summer, when resources are abundant, these animals form larger herds, while the winter scarcity drives them into smaller groups or solitary roaming.
Despite their resilience, the Mishmi Takin faces critical threats. “Traditional hunting, especially for meat, remains prevalent in local communities, with researchers recording 78 skulls displayed in homes as hunting trophies,” the study found.
“The Mishmi Takin is not a primary target for hunters, but they are hunted when encountered,” the report highlighted, underlining the species’ vulnerable status due to unregulated hunting. However, researchers noted a shift in attitudes, particularly among younger generations, who are increasingly discouraging the display of animal parts in homes—a possible result of growing conservation awareness promoted in local schools.
The research team emphasized the urgent need for ongoing studies and conservation efforts to protect the Mishmi Takin, which is classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. “A detailed, intensive study of the takin’s population and habitat is crucial for formulating effective conservation strategies,” the authors recommended, urging collaboration with local communities to promote sustainable wildlife practices.
“Social marketing of the ‘Mishmi Takin’ among the Mishmi tribe of the Dibang River Basin could help conserve this species and its habitat over the long term,” the researchers stated.
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