In a first, camera captures rare ‘Western Tragopan’ in Tatakuti Wildlife Sanctuary

Srinagar, August 12: Wildlife Department has achieved a significant milestone with the first-ever camera capture of the Western Tragopan, one of the rarest living pheasants in the Tatkutti Wildlife Sanctuary Poonch, officials said.
Amit Sharma, Wildlife Warden for Rajouri and Poonch, told Rising Kashmir that the camera trap was set in the Tatakuti Sanctuary about a month and a half ago, specifically targeting this elusive bird in the Pir ki Gali region.
“Some birds are notoriously difficult to spot directly due to their elusive nature, and the Western Tragopan is one of the most elusive. While our camera traps have captured other animals as well, this bird is particularly rare, and direct sightings are almost impossible,” Sharma said.
The Western Tragopan was photographed at an altitude of 3,200 to 3,300 meters. “This is the first time our department has obtained an official camera capture of this bird, although it is said that a student in Kashmir had previously photographed it. However, our department’s capture is the first official documentation,” Sharma added.
Known locally as “Jujurana,” the Western Tragopan is often referred to as the king of birds. “This is a high-altitude species, typically found above 3,000 meters. The bird primarily feeds on insects, seeds, and grass, but our knowledge about it remains limited,” Sharma said.
Yasin M. Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his excitement.
“Finally, something we’ve been chasing for years—a sight of the rare and elusive crimson-colored Western Tragopan on our own soil. A live view straight from the Tatkutti Wildlife Sanctuary,” Choudhary wrote.