An Updated Checklist of Globally Threatened Species in Bhutan as Listed in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Abstract

Bhutan lies to the East of Himalaya and it hosts around 11,248 species in all taxa. Bhutan's lush and green forest covers 71 percent of land which comes under the five National Parks, four Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 Strict Nature Reserve, Community Forests and biological corridors connecting different protected areas. More than half (51.44 percent) is protected by law and activities are restricted under certain circumstances. It is home to Takin (Budorcastaxicolorwhitei), White-bellied Heron (Ardeainsignis), Black-necked Crane (Grusnigricollis), Red Panda (Ailurusfulgens), Great Hornbill (Bucerosbicornis) and Chinese Pangolin (Manispentadactyla) that are globally threatened.Bhutan contributed around 23 new species between 2017 and 2020 which were new to science, and Bhutan's biodiversity holds immense opportunities for researchers and environmental scientists as its biodiversity is in early stage of discovery.To date, Bhutan records 1 This paper aims to report a checklist of globally threatened species listed in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species from Bhutan. The paper also lists down the new species that were discovered in Bhutan since 2017. More researchers are needed to discover new species from Bhutan's rich and lush forest.