Breaking: Vulnerable Cheer Pheasant Spotted in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary – A Conservation Milestone

By Ananya Verma, Wildlife Correspondent (Wildlife Institute of India)
Last Updated: June 23, 2025 | Fact-Checked: June 23, 2025

Key Takeaways

• What happened? A pair of Cheer Pheasants (Catreus wallichii), classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, was observed at unexpectedly low elevation in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Why it matters: This sighting suggests possible range expansion or undetected remnant populations, underscoring the sanctuary’s critical role in galliform conservation.
• Next steps: Forest Department plans systematic surveys and community-based monitoring to assess population trends.

The Sighting

On the morning of June 22, forest guards and researchers from the Uttarakhand Forest Department (UFD) recorded two adult Cheer Pheasants near the Chopta–Tungnath corridor of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. “This species was last officially recorded here nearly five years ago,” said Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Senior Ornithologist at the Wildlife Institute of India, who led the survey. “Seeing them at 2,700 m—below their usual 3,000–3,500 m band—could indicate shifting habitat use in response to warming temperatures.”

According to the UFD’s press release, camera traps set up following local reports confirmed multiple detections over a 48-hour period. Sanctuary officials have since expanded patrols and engaged nearby communities in reporting any further sightings.

Expert Insights

“The Cheer Pheasant’s elusive nature means even minor sightings are big news. They prefer open slopes with shrub cover, which Chopta’s meadows provide in abundance,”
— Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Wildlife Institute of India

Dr. Kumar points to a 2007 field study by S. Chandola and S. Sinha, published by the Wildlife Institute of India, which documented limited Cheer Pheasant presence in Pauri and Kedarnath divisions, with populations declining due to hunting and grazing pressures .

Conservation Context

IUCN Status

• Vulnerable (Catreus wallichii)
• Estimated 2,000–2,700 mature individuals remain globally .

Threats

• Habitat loss from overgrazing
• Illegal hunting for plumage
• Climate change altering alpine ecosystems

Government Response

• Rapid Surveys: UFD and WII teams will conduct fortnightly transects through June–August.
• Community Monitoring: Training locals in call-watching techniques to boost detection.
• Awareness Drives: Workshops with village councils to reduce disturbances in critical breeding areas.

5 Key Takeaways for Birdwatchers

1. Ideal Viewing Zones: Dawn surveys in Chopta meadows (2,600 – 2,800 m).
2. What to Listen For: A low “coo coo” call, often heard at first light.
3. Gear Tips: Binoculars (8×42) and a hide for stealth.
4. Respect Wildlife: Maintain at least 50 m distance; avoid leading with food.
5. Report Sightings: Use the UFD’s mobile app or call the Forest Guard HQ in Rudraprayag.

Daily Digest

Fact-Check

• Species ID: Verified against WII’s photo archive and BirdLife International data.
• Location & Elevation: GPS-logged by UFD field teams.
• Population Estimates: Cross-referenced with IUCN Red List and Chandola & Sinha (2007) study .