Record of threatened Mishmi Takin (<i>Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor</i> Hodgson, 1850) from Lower Dibang Valley District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

A preliminary status survey was carried out on Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taxicolor taxicolor) in and around Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, from July 2018 to March 2019 by using the foot survey and camera traps and confirmed the presence of species in the area. We estimated a minimum of 27 individuals comprised of 12 adults, 7 sub-adults, 4 Juveniles, and 4 calves from the 198 captured photographs. However, the foot survey recorded the presence of Mishmi takin through indirect means like dung, hoofed marks/footprints and browsing marks. The species was found to inhabit a subtropical evergreen forest area in the study area. Bushmeat hunting was found to be a major threat to the species, as most of the households visited during the survey were found to have skulls of Mishmi takin hanging on the house wall as decorative items after the use of meat. Based on the present findings, we recommend a detailed, extensive study of the distribution, population, and habitat status of this least-studied threatened species in Arunachal Pradesh for their conservation and management.