Illegal wildlife trade remains one of the most profitable environmental crimes in the world. Despite Bhutan’s strong conservation record, the country is not immune to the threat. As a global biodiversity hotspot and home to many rare and endangered species, Bhutan continues to face risks from poachers driven by the demand for wildlife parts in illegal international markets.
Wildlife authorities say species such as musk deer, Asiatic black bears and even tigers have been targeted by poachers despite being globally threatened animals. Musk deer are hunted primarily for their musk pods, which are highly valued in perfumes and traditional medicines. Tigers are targeted for nearly every part of their body, while Asiatic black bears are poached for their bile, skin and meat.
Experts say the high value of animal parts in illegal markets continues to attract poachers. According to Kinga Norbu, Deputy Chief Forestry Officer with the Forest Surveillance and Enforcement Division of the Department of Forests and Park Services, wildlife crime is not limited to a single country or region.
“Any country is either a source where illegal wildlife products originate, a sink where they are consumed, or a transit point where they pass through. Based on our offence records, Bhutan sometimes falls into these categories. So, we remain equally concerned about wildlife crime,” he said.
Forestry statistics recorded 20 poaching cases in 2024. While this represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year, officials say even a single poaching incident can have serious consequences for Bhutan’s fragile mountain ecosystems.
In the same year, authorities recorded more than 1,600 forest offence cases, including illegal fishing, timber-related offences and land violations. Such cases continue to be reported despite Bhutan having some of the strictest wildlife protection laws in the region.
Under the Forest and Nature Conservation Act, offences involving endangered species can result in heavy fines and imprisonment. Authorities say the compensation for a missing musk deer pod can reach up to Nu 100,000, reflecting the high value placed on protecting wildlife.
To counter wildlife crimes, the Department of Forests and Park Services launched the Zero Poaching Strategy in 2023, which focuses on strengthening monitoring and enforcement across vulnerable forest areas. Forest officials say targeted patrols based on data and past trends are helping improve surveillance.
“Mostly, we carry out annual monitoring and smart patrolling based on past trends and hotspot areas. We focus on those areas and conduct planned patrols. These are some of the key activities that help minimise poaching in the field,” said Rinzin Dorji, Chief Forest Officer of the Gedu Divisional Forest Office.
Authorities are also exploring the use of technology to improve the monitoring of forests. Artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance cameras are being considered to detect suspicious activities and alert rangers in real time.
“We are also in dialogue with the manufacturer of AI-enabled cameras that can detect activities and send alerts directly to our phones. The cameras can recognise patterns of activity and notify the person monitoring them,” said Kinga Norbu.
Officials say stronger patrols, smarter surveillance, and the use of new technologies are gradually improving wildlife protection efforts across Bhutan. However, the illegal demand for wildlife parts continues to drive poaching.
Conservationists say protecting Bhutan’s rich biodiversity will require not only vigilance inside forests but also stronger cooperation beyond its borders to disrupt the illegal networks that trade wildlife products.
Karma Wangdi and Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
