What is the status of the western tragopan population in India?

Fewer than 9,500 mature western tragopans exist, primarily in a single subpopulation across the Himalayas.

How successful has the Sarahan Pheasantry's captive breeding been?

The Sarahan Pheasantry has achieved successful captive breeding, currently housing 46 birds and consistently hatching chicks.

What are the main threats to the western tragopan's survival?

Key threats include habitat fragmentation, human disturbance, climate variability impacting breeding, and stalled reintroduction efforts.

Home / Environment / Rare Tragopan's Fight: Captive Breeding vs. Wild Survival

Rare Tragopan's Fight: Captive Breeding vs. Wild Survival

11 Dec

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Summary

Only 3,000-9,500 mature western tragopans remain in a single subpopulation.
Captive breeding success at Sarahan Pheasantry faces habitat restoration challenges.
Climate variability threatens breeding synchrony and chick survival in the wild.

Rare Tragopan's Fight: Captive Breeding vs. Wild Survival

The western tragopan, an endangered pheasant and Himachal Pradesh's state bird, survives in fragmented pockets across the Himalayas. Conservation efforts have focused on captive breeding, with notable success at the Sarahan Pheasantry, which now houses 46 birds. However, experts caution that these ex-situ programs are insufficient without parallel in-situ habitat protection and restoration.

Despite decades of investment, the species' wild population remains critically low, estimated between 3,000 and 9,500 individuals. Climate change presents a significant threat, altering breeding seasons and insect availability, crucial for chick survival. The slow disruption of these natural cycles challenges the species' persistence in its native forests.