White-bellied Heron sighted in Phibsoo

The presence of two adult White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarpang was confirmed by a team of RSPN and Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary Forestry Officials on 26 February 2014.

It was first sighted on 25th February, 2014. White-bellied Heron is classified as critically endangered because it has an extremely small and rapidly declining population, estimated to be less than 200 globally. This decline is projected to increase in the near future as a result of the loss and degradation of lowland forest and wetlands and through direct exploitation and disturbance which are the main threats.

In Bhutan, the annual 2013 WBH population survey conducted by RSPN shows 20 individuals.

Reported by Phuntsho Yonten, RSPN