Motithang Takin Preserve

Takin Preserve is located at Motithang, a 15 minutes drive from the Thimphu Town. An enclosed area in the woods away from the settlement houses herds of Takin and some other rare animals such as Muntjac deer, Sambar, and Serow. These mammals are protected and fed. Initially established as a mini-zoo, keeping animals in captive did not align with the national value of environmental conservation and Buddhism, therefore His Majesty the Fourth King decreed the animals be set free however these mammals refused to inhabit the surrounding forests and were seen wandering the roads of Thimphu looking for food, hence were put back into captivity.Takin Preserve is located at Motithang, a 15 minutes drive from the Thimphu Town. An enclosed area in the woods away from the settlement houses herds of Takin and some other rare animals such as Muntjac deer, Sambar, and Serow. These mammals are protected and fed. Initially established as a mini-zoo, keeping animals in captive did not align with the national value of environmental conservation and Buddhism, therefore His Majesty the Fourth King decreed the animals be set free however these mammals refused to inhabit the surrounding forests and were seen wandering the roads of Thimphu looking for food, hence were put back into captivity.