Bhutan takin 363
FIG. 6 Conditional inference tree displaying significant explanatory variables for the question ‘What determines preference that the takin should be protected?’ 163 of 169 possible respondents answered. Respondent’s fondness for the takin was the only significant predictor.
of respondents addressed the question of whether the takin should be protected. This cohort comprised residents who were willing to support takin conservation by protecting takin and its habitat (16%; n = 27); being an informant on illegal activities (14%; n = 24); not harming and disturbing the takin (14%; n = 23); providing required assistance (9%; n = 16); contributing labour for takin conservation (8%; n = 13); and spreading awareness of the takin (7%; n = 12).
Discussion
The overall positive perception of the takin by residents of Jigme Dorji National Park could be attributed to the Buddhist religious ethos of respect for life and harmonious coexistence with nature (Brooks, 2010). Similarly, Hindus in India and Nepal share similar views by practicing ahimsa, which equates to respecting all life forms (Sahni, 2008). Positive attitudes to snow leopards have been reported in other Himalayan Buddhist regions in Ladakh (Fox & Chundawat, 1988) and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, India (Bagchi &Mishra, 2006). The Bhutan takin also has local re- ligious andmythological significance thatmay enhance posi- tive perceptions. Legend has it that the so-called Divine Madman Lam Drukpa Kuenley, a significant religious figure in Bhutan, combined the head of a goat with the body of a cow to create the takin (Downes, 2011), which led to the takin being chosen as Bhutan’snationalanimal. Awareness of the takin as the national animal was signifi-
cantly linked to knowledge of its protected status, irrespec- tive of where respondents lived. This can be attributed to conservation education awareness programmes and an
agreement with the takin’s summer habitat residents to not graze their domestic livestock 1 month prior to the arrival of migrating takin. Bhatia et al. (2017) suggested that conservation education and awareness can be best de- livered by reference to the karmic cycle in predominantly Buddhist nations, as exemplified by the annual Takin Festival in Jigme Dorji National Park, at which residents are informed of the benefits of protecting takin habitat in its summer grazing alpine meadows at Tsharijathang. This also helps to facilitate sustainable collection of the highly prized cordyceps Ophiocordyceps sinensis fungus and other non-timber forest products (Mukhai et al., 2013; Wangchuk et al., 2013; Wangchuk & Wangdi, 2015). This additional socioeconomic benefit could possibly explain the overwhelming support for takin conservation amongst park residents, in addition to the species’ national status and religious significance. Positive perception of the takin by residents in the takin’s winter range could be attributed to the fact that this species does not consume crops. The takin prefers forest for shelter (Sangay et al., 2016) and, moreover, agricultural fields are left fallow during winter. Significantly higher awareness among residents in the
takin’s summer habitat compared to residents in the winter habitat could be attributed to socioeconomic activity that increases contact with congregating takin herds in the open alpine meadows. The highly valued cordyceps in these mea- dows are collected in the summer by Laya residents,who have become affluent from the associated trade (Wangchuk et al., 2013; Shrestha et al., 2017) and are able to afford televisions and smartphones (Lhamo & Oyama, 2015;MoIC, 2016; NSB, 2016), thus increasing exposure to conservation mes- sages about the takin. Despite also having access to media, Khatey and Khamey residents are less exposed to takin in the dense broadleaved forested winter habitat, where takin herds fission into small groups that reduce chance encounters with residents collecting non-timber forest produce. Regionally, the takin is threatened by deforestation, habi-
tat fragmentation and hunting (Song et al., 2008; Dasgupta et al., 2010; Sangay et al., 2016). Despite positive perceptions towards the species, it remains Vulnerable (Song et al., 2008), facing threats from resource competition with do- mestic yaks, disturbance by free ranging dogs, habitat frag- mentation, and indirect effects from cordyceps collection through the influx of people and animals (e.g. pack horses) that impact the fragile alpine meadowecosystem and disrupt takin migration (Sangay et al., 2016). Yaks, horses and dogs further threaten the takin by potentially spreading zoonotic diseases in the summer habitat (Wangchuk et al., 2015). Protected areas in developing countries are crucial for the
provision of ecosystem services and also contribute to sus- taining rural livelihoods by allowing activities such as live- stock grazing and collection of forest products (Rajaratnam et al., 2016). The positive perception of the takin and its con- servation by residents of Jigme Dorji National Park affirms
Oryx, 2020, 54(3), 359–365 © 2019 Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605318000418
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