White-bellied Heron Population Survey 2025 Report

On the auspicious occasion of the Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN Bhutan) is honored to launch the Annual White-bellied Heron Population Survey Report 2025.

Since 2003, RSPN, in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Park Services, has conducted annual surveys to monitor the status of this critically endangered species. These long-term efforts have been significant in understanding population trends, distribution patterns, prevailing threats, and guiding targeted conservation interventions.

This year’s survey recorded a total of 𝟮𝟵 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘀; 𝟮𝟰 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗪𝗕𝗛𝗖𝗖). The survey also identified four active nests; three in the Punatshangchhu river basin and one in the Mangdechhu river basin.

RSPN expresses its heartfelt gratitude to all donors, conservation partners, philanthropists, and stakeholders whose continued support makes this annual survey possible.

RSPN receives the biggest support in-kind from Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project Authority(PHPA) for the conservation of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron. PHPA completed and handed over the White-bellied Heron (WBH) Conservation Center to RSPN on 27 November 2020. The Center was constructed at a cost of little more than Nu. 48 million at Changchey Dovan, Tsirang on 18.224 acres of land allocated for the conservation of WBH by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This center is an outcome of extraordinary support and stewardship of government and PHPA in efforts to save the WBH and the biodiversity. The primary objective of the Center is to secure and preserve a gene pool, breed and release the birds back in the wild to revive the wild population. The center will also act as a hub for emerging research, education and advocacy. This Center is our tribute to uphold the legacy of our visionary kings and our commitment to lead a middle path guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The formal handing-taking and document signing between the Joint Managing Director, (PHPA-II)and the Executive Director of RSPN, in presence of Dr. Pema Wangda, member of RSPN board of directors and officials from PHPA and RSPN, took place at the newly constructed centre in Changchey, Tsirang on 27th November 2020. RSPN would like to sincerely thank PHPA for their support.