Rare Mammal Takin Spotted in Forests of East Kameng

Takin (or gnu goat) – one of the rarest mammals – was caught by a trap camera above 3,500 metres in East Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh.

It is first photo/image of Takin from East Kameng district, DFO Seppa, Vikas Swami said.

The Takin is adapted to its mountainous environment in Asia. Due to overhunting and the destruction of its natural resources, it is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

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“We got a camera trap image in November. Seppa Forest Division had installed cameras above altitude 3500 metre as a part of Snow Leopard Survey programme with help of WWF-India (knowledge partner),” Swami said.

Exact number of individuals is not known to us, the Forest official said, adding: “But it’s the largest mammal which is very rare to sight in wild.

Department of Environment & Forests, Arunachal Pradesh tweets, ”Camera trap images of Bhutanese Takin from Seppa FD. It is first instance of camera trap image capture of this animal in East Kameng. The cameras were installed in high altitude areas under snow leopard population assessment survey by the Department.

Takin – which can reach weights up to 770 pounds (350 kg) – is arguably the largest terrestrial mammal that lives in obscurity. It is the national animal of Bhutan.

Takin belongs to the mammalian family Bovidae that also includes antelopes, oxen, sheep and goats, among others.

The bovids include some of the most familiar animals on earth, including common barnyard animals like cattle.

But despite being incredibly cool and even beautiful, many of these hoofed mammals remain obscure.

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