Motithang Takin Preserve, Protected wildlife area in Motithang district, Thimphu, Bhutan.
The Motithang Takin Preserve is a protected wildlife facility in Thimphu that houses the national animal of Bhutan in a contained habitat. The site also holds sambar deer and barking deer in separate viewing areas.
The preserve originated as a small zoo before the King of Bhutan ordered the release of captive animals into the surrounding area. Those animals remained and became the foundation for the current protected space.
The takin holds deep significance in Bhutanese tradition, linked to an old story about Lama Drukpa Kunley who created a hybrid creature from a goat and a cow. This spiritual connection shapes how locals and visitors perceive the animal today.
Access is straightforward from central Thimphu, and marked paths guide you to viewing points for each species. Early morning visits tend to be more rewarding, as the animals are more active during cooler hours.
Visitors frequently feed the animals through fence gaps, causing obesity and health complications over time. This unintended consequence highlights the complexity of maintaining captive wildlife in a healthy state.
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