𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞

…𝑹𝑺𝑷𝑵 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 16 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅’𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅𝒔

By Kezang Choden

According to the 2025 Annual Report of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), Bhutan’s population of the endangered White-bellied Heron has increased to 29 individuals, marking a 16 percent rise from 25 recorded in 2024. The encouraging results were documented during the Annual White-bellied Heron Population Survey and reflect steady gains in the conservation of one of the world’s rarest birds.

The report highlights several achievements over the year. A total of 12.5 hectares of degraded White-bellied Heron habitat along the Punatsangchu and Mangdechu river basins were restored through forest plantation, achieving a survival rate of more than 85 percent. These efforts aim to improve breeding and foraging conditions for the species. During the Annual Nest Survey, four active nests were recorded, and two chicks successfully fledged, indicating the potential recruitment of two juveniles into the wild population each year. This represents an important development for a species with a very limited global population.

The EarthRanger monitoring tool has been introduced in Bhutan to strengthen real-time tracking of the White-bellied Heron and associated species. Daily observations by members of Local Conservation Support Groups and field foresters are now recorded through the mobile application, improving data accuracy and coordination. Field foresters also participated in hands-on training sessions to ensure effective use of the tool. Drone technology was adopted for monitoring the species and its nests, and surveys using drones were found to be feasible and effective, enhancing data collection while reducing disturbance to the birds.

The White-bellied Heron Conservation Center in Tsirang District continued to play a key role in education and awareness, recording 1,615 visitors during the year. The center remains an important knowledge hub for heron conservation in the country. In eastern Bhutan, a biodiversity and socio-economic survey was carried out in the Kuri Gongri river basin. The study aimed to map the distribution of waterbirds, otters, and the White-bellied Heron while also assessing local community conditions linked to conservation.

A major milestone was achieved at the White-bellied Heron Conservation Center with the successful hatching and rearing of the first White-bellied Heron chick through artificial incubation in 2024. This marked the first success since the establishment of the captive conservation program and brought renewed hope for the species, which has fewer than 60 individuals remaining worldwide.

The egg was carefully collected from a wild nest in Zhemgang after eggs were lost to monkey predation the previous year. The decision to intervene was taken as a precautionary measure. The process required constant monitoring and careful decision making at every stage. Despite the challenges, the dedication of the conservation team, along with timely support from international experts, made the success possible.

RSPN noted that the combined progress in population growth, habitat restoration, monitoring technology, and captive conservation reflects steady gains in safeguarding one of the world’s rarest birds. The organization has restored 54.9 hectares of degraded land along key White-bellied Heron habitats over the past five years, strengthening conservation efforts.

Tshering Tobagay, Research Officer at RSPN, shared, “We had restored 54.9 hectares of degraded land along White-bellied Heron habitats over the last five years, contributing to improved conditions for one of the world’s most endangered bird species. The eco-restoration works targeted riverine areas that had been degraded over time and had lost vegetation cover, leading to the fragmentation of critical habitats. By restoring these areas, the initiative has helped reconnect habitats that were previously isolated due to environmental degradation and other pressures. The restoration efforts have begun to show positive results on the ground. Increased sightings of the White-bellied Heron have been recorded in restored areas, while nests have also been observed near these sites.”

The RSPN continues to strengthen its wildlife conservation programmes by adopting modern technologies and innovative methods. Among the latest tools integrated into its conservation efforts are the EarthRanger software platform and drone technology, both of which are playing a key role in protecting the critically endangered White-bellied Heron.

He said, “The use of EarthRanger has enabled real-time monitoring of the White-bellied Heron population and its habitats across Bhutan. Through the platform, threats that pose risks to the species are reported promptly, allowing mitigation measures to be implemented in a timely manner. The system has also encouraged greater participation from local communities, with an increasing number of residents now supporting monitoring efforts through the EarthRanger network. Drone technology has further strengthened conservation work by reducing the cost and time required to monitor the species. Drones have made it possible to survey new habitat areas that were previously difficult to access. They have also improved the monitoring of nests and chicks, allowing timely observations without frequent human presence. The reduced disturbance at nesting sites has contributed to more undisturbed breeding of the White-bellied Heron. Limiting the presence of survey teams around nests has helped create safer conditions during the breeding season, supporting the long-term conservation of the species.”

Field observations in the wild have shown increased predation of White-bellied Heron eggs and chicks by other wildlife, raising serious concerns for the survival of the species. Conservationists have also recorded breeding failures linked to a higher number of sterile eggs. For a bird with an already very low population, repeated breeding failure poses a major risk and could lead to further population decline.

He said, “We took the lead at the global level to support the recovery of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. As part of this effort, the White-bellied Heron Conservation Center was established in 2021 to strengthen the species’ breeding programme.”
RSPN reported that the center currently has five birds growing in good health. Despite facing some resource constraints in sustaining the breeding programme, the organization is supported by a team of trained and professional staff managing the conservation work for the species. RSPN emphasized that equal importance is given to both wild and captive populations through a combination of in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes. The organization stated that it will continue its efforts to safeguard the White-bellied Heron until a stable population is achieved at the global level, highlighting its long-term commitment to saving one of the world’s rarest bird species.

Experience over the years has shown that saving the White-bellied Heron is possible only with the support of a conservation breeding center. Compared to conditions in the wild, eggs and chicks are more secure under managed care, and the success rate of breeding has been significantly higher.
He emphasized, “The primary focus remains on strengthening the conservation breeding programme while continuing to improve the heron’s natural habitats. Habitat improvement efforts are being carried out through targeted conservation programmes aimed at restoring and protecting critical riverine areas.”

RSPN emphasized that the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders is central to these efforts. Local communities, in particular, play an important role in habitat protection, monitoring, and long-term stewardship of the species’ environment. The organization stated that a combined approach, linking conservation breeding with strong community-based habitat conservation, offers the best chance for the long-term survival of the White-bellied Heron, one of the world’s most endangered bird species.