From the field: The Western Tragopan

Abstract

Of the five species of tragopans
found in Asia, the Western Tragopan,
Tragopan melanocephalus, has the
westernmost distribution. In the past,
Western Tragopans ranged from Swat
in Pakistan to Garhwal in India but
were generally considered rare and
localized in distribution . Due to a
decline within the last century, the
species has been given endangered
status. Reasons for this decline
include destruction of habitat by
humans and livestock, egg collecting,
hunting for food , and trapping by
local villagers. The total world population
in 1982 has been estimated at
5,000 birds.

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