From one Takin in 1999 to eight in 2026: Sikkim’s remarkable wildlife discovery

Gangtok: A herd of eight Himalayan takins (Budorcas taxicolor) has been captured on video in Sikkim for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the state’s wildlife conservation history nearly 27 years after the species was first documented in the state.

The sighting was made on June 14, 2026, at around 1:39 pm in the Bakuchen area under Tingda Reserve Forest in Mangan district during a joint inspection and patrolling exercise conducted by officials from the Forest and Environment Department and the State Tourism Department.

The footage was recorded by Tsewang Nedup Bhutia, Head Forest Guard under Phodong Territorial Range, who was part of a survey team assessing a proposed trekking route between Kabi and Panch Pokhari.

Recalling the encounter, Bhutia said, “From June 13 we had a survey from Kabi to Panch Pokhari by forest and tourism officials for trekking trials in the region. Then on June 14, while commuting between Dalapchand and Bakuchen, there was a pungent smell in the air before the sighting, as is common when a wild animal is in close proximity. I asked our guide to slow down for a while.

“It was then that we had this sighting around 13:39 hours, when they were on the left side of River Ratey Chhu. Immediately after seeing it, I identified the animal as a takin, which is the national animal of Bhutan. I briefed others about it being a takin and that it was being sighted in the wild in Sikkim for the very first time. They were on the trekking trail and, upon noticing humans, rushed towards the river. It was a herd of eight takins. I could capture only four on camera as the other four had already crossed the river after noticing us on the trail. I could see them for almost 25 seconds before they vanished into the forest. They could not be sighted again despite us lingering in the area for another 10-15 minutes. I was emotional on seeing such a rare animal with my naked eye and for the first time in Sikkim.”

Bhutia further explained, “The takins may have been grazing around that time when the video was captured during the trekking trial. There was a pungent smell before the sighting. Whenever a wild animal is near, there is often a distinctive smell in the air.”

According to Bhutia, the first footage was captured by him, while Kazi Sherpa, Joint Director of the State Tourism Department, subsequently recorded additional visuals of the animals and of Bhutia himself in the now-viral video. Sherpa had initially wondered whether the animals were blue sheep before Bhutia identified them as takins.

The sighting is particularly significant because it represents the first video documentation of the species in Sikkim and the largest group of takins ever recorded in the state. Wildlife experts note that there has been no previous video evidence or documentation of such a large herd from Sikkim.

The discovery also carries a remarkable historical coincidence. Sikkim’s first documented record of the Himalayan takin dates back to June 16, 1999, when the animal was first sighted by Bishnu Kumar Sharma, then Supervisor of Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary in East Sikkim.

The sighting was subsequently photographed and documented by Chezung Lachungpa, then District Forest Officer (Wildlife). The record was later published in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society in 2000 as evidence of a westward range extension of the species.

By an extraordinary coincidence, the first photographic documentation was made in June 1999, while the first video documentation occurred in June 2026 — almost exactly 27 years later and in the same month.

Forest conservationist Usha Lachungpa, who served with the Sikkim Forest and Wildlife Department from 1986 to 2017 and was associated with the state’s first documented takin record in 1999, described the latest footage as a major milestone for wildlife conservation in Sikkim.

“This is a very important sighting because Sikkim has got the credit of having one of the largest areas under wildlife protection despite being such a small state. Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh was known as the only state where all three goat-antelopes found in India — the takin, serow and goral — were recorded. Since the first photographic evidence of the takin in Sikkim in 1999, Sikkim can also claim that distinction.”

However, she cautioned that the discovery should not be viewed solely as a reason for celebration.

“The greatest thing about this footage is that it comes almost exactly 27 years after the first documented sighting. It is something to be happy about, but it should also make us think carefully about whether there are some areas that should remain undisturbed.”

Lachungpa noted that many of the high-altitude habitats where rare wildlife survives were once relatively inaccessible and experienced far less human disturbance.

“The wilderness and protected areas of Sikkim are the reason why so many tourists are attracted to the state. But as tourism increasingly makes inroads into forest areas, we may end up losing some of these species.”

She emphasized that wildlife sanctuaries must primarily serve conservation objectives.

“When we say a sanctuary, it means a safe place. In a sanctuary, wildlife and biodiversity should be the priority, not how many areas can be opened up for visitors.”

Referring to the fact that the recent sighting occurred during a reconnaissance exercise linked to a proposed trekking route, she warned against expanding human activity into previously undisturbed habitats.

“If we expose more and more undisturbed areas to people, even through eco-friendly trails and treks, we are introducing disturbance into habitats where wildlife currently exists undisturbed. The animals in the footage were not accustomed to human presence; they were moving away from the camera and the people.”

Lachungpa also stressed the importance of recognising the contribution of frontline field staff such as Bishnu Kumar Sharma, who made the first takin sighting in Sikkim in 1999, and Tsewang Nedup Bhutia, whose vigilance led to the latest video documentation.

“The credit should always go to the field staff. They are the first people protecting these areas and the first to notice unusual wildlife sightings. If the field staff had not reported the sighting, senior officers and researchers would never have had the opportunity to document and identify the animal.”

According to her, conservation success stories often begin with the vigilance of personnel working in remote locations.

“Field staff are the real conservationists on the ground. If we continue to acknowledge their contributions, they will be even more motivated to protect Sikkim’s biodiversity.”

The veteran conservationist also expressed concern about the unintended consequences of publicity surrounding rare wildlife sightings.

“If we had not sighted the animal, the area would still have remained safe for it. Once such information enters the public domain, everyone wants to visit the location. The danger is not tourism itself, but the wrong kind of tourism that can follow publicity.”

Drawing comparisons with tiger sightings, she added, “We are not always sure what happens to these animals after their locations become widely known. We need to be careful about sharing information that could ultimately put rare species at risk.”

Recalling the first documented record, Lachungpa pointed to the striking coincidence in dates.

“When I went back to my notes and the journal entry from 1999, I realised the dates were almost identical. It is certainly a remarkable coincidence.”

While describing the timing as extraordinary, she believes the sightings are more likely linked to natural wildlife movements than any recurring pattern.

“These are not resident animals of Sikkim. If they were, we would be seeing them regularly. They are rare visitors, most likely moving across international borders in search of safe habitats.”

She recalled that the 1999 record involved a solitary male takin, whereas the latest observation involved a small herd.

“Like tigers searching for new territory, these animals may also be moving in search of safer spaces as increasing development and road construction create disturbances in previously undisturbed areas.”

Comparing Sikkim with neighbouring Bhutan, where takins are more commonly found, she observed, “Bhutan is about five times larger than Sikkim. At the same time, Sikkim shares a much larger border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region than with Bhutan. These animals could just as easily have moved in from the Chumbi Valley.”

Lachungpa also highlighted the importance of maintaining ecological connectivity across the Eastern Himalaya.

“The beauty of Sikkim lies in the continuity of its habitats. Our protected areas connect with Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal, which further links to other protected landscapes. This uninterrupted habitat allows species such as tigers and takins to move across the landscape.”

She concluded by underlining the need to preserve these ecological corridors.

“We should focus on preserving habitat connectivity so that animals have safe spaces to roam without coming into conflict with human settlements. In the long run, that is the best way to prevent human-wildlife conflict and protect biodiversity.”

The Himalayan takin, the national animal of Bhutan, has a restricted distribution across parts of Bhutan, India’s Eastern Himalaya and adjoining regions. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and receives the highest level of legal protection in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. It is also included in Appendix II of CITES.

Wildlife experts say the latest record not only confirms the continued presence of the elusive species in Sikkim but also establishes the state as home to all three goat-antelope species found in India — the takin, serow and goral — while highlighting the importance of protecting the fragile habitats that sustain them.

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