Nature & Wildlife
Bhutan keeps most of its land under forest and a quarter of it in national parks, home to takin, snow leopards and 770 kinds of bird.
72.5%
of Bhutan is forest
70%+
forest cover guaranteed for ever
770
bird species recorded
5,500+
plant species
600+
orchid species
50+
rhododendron species
Protected areas
Nine parks and reserves
Protected areas cover about 26% of the country, joined by biological corridors across another 9%. Over 35% of Bhutan is under some form of protection.
| Park or reserve | Area, sq km |
|---|---|
| Jigme Dorji National Park | 4,349 |
| Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park | 1,723 |
| Kulong Chhu Wildlife Sanctuary | 1,300 |
| Royal Manas National Park | 1,023 |
| Thrumshing La National Park | 768 |
| Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary | 650 |
| Toorsa Nature Reserve | 644 |
| Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary | 278 |
| Khaling Wildlife Sanctuary | 273 |
Wildlife
Takin to snow leopard
The takin is the national animal. Snow leopards, tigers, elephants and clouded leopards live here too. About 350 black-necked cranes spend each winter in the high valleys.
Birds
770 species
Bhutan is one of the world’s ten biodiversity hotspots and part of a global endemic bird area.
Plants
Orchids, rhododendrons, blue poppy
Over 300 medicinal plants. The blue poppy, the national flower, grows between 3,500 and 4,500 m.
See it for yourself
Our naturalist guides lead birding and wildlife trips across the country.
Travel with us
Bhutan trips
Bhutan Festival Tour
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Highlights of Bhutan Tour
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Bhutan Country Walks
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Druk Path Trek – A Scenic Highland Trek Journey Between Paro and Thimphu
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Find a trip by style: Culture Festivals Walking Trekking Village Wildlife & Birding Cycling Multi-activity Pilgrimage