Source: TH
Context: A captive-breeding programme at Sarahan Pheasantry, Himachal Pradesh, has successfully stabilised the Western Tragopan population, giving conservationists fresh hope.
About Western Tragopan:
- What it is?
- The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) — also called Jujurana or “king of birds” — is one of the world’s rarest pheasants and the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. It is a flagship species of the Western Himalayas, known for its striking plumage and ecological sensitivity.
- Habitat:
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- Found between 2,400–3,600 m in moist temperate Himalayan forests.
- Prefers dense undergrowth, ringal bamboo, rhododendron thickets, and conifer forests.
- Key strongholds include Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Kazinag, Limber (J&K), and pockets in Uttarakhand and northern Pakistan.
- IUCN Status:
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- Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- Only 3,000–9,500 mature individuals remain, all forming a single fragile sub-population.
- Key Characteristics:
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- Male: Velvet-black head, crimson breast, white spotting, and colourful blue–orange facial wattles used in elaborate mating displays.
- Female: Brown, camouflaged, smaller; immature males resemble females.
- Ground-dwelling, shy, active at dawn/dusk; feeds on berries, seeds, buds, shoots, and insects.
- Breeds during May–June, laying 3–5 eggs in concealed nests.
- Significance:
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- An indicator species of high-altitude forest health.
- Cultural symbol of Himachal Pradesh.
- Captive breeding at Sarahan Pheasantry has produced over 40+ individuals, offering insurance against extinction.
