Tips
Hubert Trapp
November 13, 2024
Hiking
The Royal Takin Preserve is located in the Motithang district of Thimpu. The takin is a rare goat-antelope species with a distinctive appearance. The animals live at high altitudes in the eastern Himalayas. In November 2005, the takin was declared the national animal of Bhutan.
The animals in the Motithang Takin Preserve were once part of a small zoo. The King of Bhutan considered it inappropriate for a Buddhist country to keep animals in captivity and released them. Since the takin did not want to leave the site, the area was declared a nature reserve.
atlasobscura.com/places/motithang-takin-preserve
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motithang_Takin_Preserve
The animals in the Motithang Takin Preserve were once part of a small zoo. The King of Bhutan considered it inappropriate for a Buddhist country to keep animals in captivity and released them. Since the takin did not want to leave the site, the area was declared a nature reserve.
atlasobscura.com/places/motithang-takin-preserve
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motithang_Takin_Preserve
Translated by
•
•Andi
November 12, 2025
Hiking
Drukpa Kunley, a religious preacher and skilled tantric practitioner, was asked by the people of Bhutan to perform a miracle. After consuming an entire cow and a goat, he joined the goat's head to the cow's skeleton, thus creating the takin. This magical animal, called Dong Gyem Tsey (Takin), became a common sight in the hills of Bhutan and was declared the national animal due to its religious significance.
Source: drukasia.com/bhutan/thimphu/takin-enclosure
Source: drukasia.com/bhutan/thimphu/takin-enclosure
Translated by•
•In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!
Sign up for free
Routes here
Best routes to Motithang Takin Preserve
Details
Informations
Elevation 2,600 m
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Today
Monday 23 February
14°C
-1°C
46 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h
Most visited during
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December