White-bellied Heron Conservation

Project Animal(s) : White-bellied Heron
Project Category : Birds
Project Region : Asia
Project Type : Conservation
Project URL : http://www.rspnbhutan.org/white-bellied-heron-conservation/
Project is timebound? : No

The Royal Society of Protection of Nature has been involved in the White-bellied Heron (WBH) conservation project since 2003. Over the years much has been understood about  their status, potential threats and conservation options in Bhutan. As a critically endangered species in the world, it is very important to protect it and its natural habitat. The initiative has helped establish two important WBH habitat areas in Bhutan: 1) Punatsangchu basin, Wangdue Phodrang  Dzongkhag and 2) Berti, Zhemgang Dzongkhag. At present there are 4 individuals in Berti and 26 in Punatsangchu basin. With 30 individuals of this species in their natural habitat, Bhutan plays a pioneering role in protecting the critically endangered white-bellied heron. Although RSPN has initiated study on its ecology and breeding behaviour, the rapid pace of development activities calls for immediate interventions that could provide quicker options for the survival of the bird. Captive breeding could be an immediate option to balance conservation and development by ensuring survival of the species and continuation of developmental activities – the “Middle Path” national development approach.

Project Goal and Objectives: The overall goal of the project is to maintain the significance of Punatsangchu as the habitat of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron as a contribution to the global conservation of the species. The objective of WBH Conservation project is to develop an appropriate management framework and foundation of biological and socio-economic knowledge for the conservation of the white bellied heron population.

Project Agency : Royal Society for Protection of Nature

Project Agency Contact : http://www.rspnbhutan.org/

Project Researcher : Rebecca Pradhan