Umaisar Gull Ganaie
Poonch, Aug 12: Camera traps in the wildlife sanctuary of Poonch district have recorded an extremely rare and elusive bird, the Western Tragopan, commonly known as the Jujurana – the “king of birds”.
Officials said that for the first time in the region, a camera trap installed by the wildlife department captured a picture of one of the rarest and most elusive pheasants in the world, the Western Tragopan.
Known for its strikingly beautiful plumage and distinctive horn-like fleshy appendages on the male’s head, which become prominent during the breeding season, the Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) is locally called “Jujurana”, which means “king of birds.” This species is classified as “Vulnerable.”
Officials said the Western Tragopan was captured on camera in the Tatkutti Wildlife Sanctuary.
Amit Sharma, Wildlife Warden for Rajouri-Poonch, said that camera traps were set up some 20-25 days ago for the indirect sighting of birds and animals at Tatkutti Wildlife Sanctuary which successfully captured an image of the rare Western Tragopan.
“This is the first photograph of the rare bird taken by the wildlife department,” Sharma said, adding that six camera traps have been installed in the area, with more to be set up.
This year, a new species of deer was also sighted, marking the first sighting across India, he added.
