A forested hillside reserve in the Motithang district of Thimphu, holding a small herd of takins — the strange, large bovids that serve as Bhutan's national animal. You can observe them from paths along the perimeter fence; they often graze close enough to photograph clearly. The reserve is a short uphill walk from the Motithang area. Entry fee is modest. Allow 30 minutes. Go early in the morning when the animals are more active.
Motithang Takin Preserve
A preserve for Bhutan's national animal, the unusual takin
A story
The takin — a large, shaggy bovid that looks like a cross between a wildebeest and a mountain goat — is Bhutan's national animal, chosen for its mythological connection to the Buddhist saint Drukpa Kunley. The Motithang preserve was originally a zoo, but when Bhutan's fourth king decided zoos conflicted with Buddhist principles, it was converted into a more open habitat for these rare animals.