Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Sikkim And Where To See Them

Although Sikkim just covers around 0.2% of India's landmass, it is home to great biodiversity as it is part of the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot region. Over 550 species of birds, 600 butterfly species, and more than 144 species of mammals are found in this state. Among the most iconic species are the endangered red panda, the gorgeous Himalayan monal and the rare blue duke. Here are seven of Sikkim's most iconic animals:

Red Panda

A red panda. Image credit: Harlequeen from Cambridge, United Kingdom via Wikimedia Commons.

The adorable red panda is the State Animal of Sikkim. It is an endangered species threatened by habitat destruction and poaching but is well-conserved in several protected areas in the state. In Sikkim, you can try your luck at spotting these highly elusive, solitary and largely arboreal animals at the Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary, Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve, and the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary. Red pandas prefer steep forested slopes near flowing streams and bamboo cover as they feed extensively on bamboo shoots and leaves as well as fruits and blossoms.

Blood Pheasant

Blood pheasants. Image credit: Dibyendu Ash via Wikimedia Commons.

The bird, the size of a jungle fowl, is named so for the red streaks on its chest. It is the State Bird of Sikkim and is known as “chilimey” in the local Nepali language and "semo" in Bhutia. The blood pheasant forages on the ground and feeds on plant matter like ferns, lichens, pine shoots, etc. The Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve is a protected area where this bird can be spotted in the state.

Sikkim Pika

A Moupin Pika that closely resembles a Sikkim pika. Image credit: Dibyendu Ash via Wikimedia Commons.

This species was only recently discovered by researchers through genetic studies. It was earlier thought to be a subspecies of the Moupin pika. The Sikkim pika is a rabbit-like animal but without tails. Unlike other mammals of its size found in cold environments, the Sikkim pika does not hibernate but collects hay piles for winter feeding. In Sikkim, the pika is found in subalpine habitats and rhododendrons and bamboo forests at lower elevations. It is a herbivore and lives in burrows dug in the ground. The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim is a great place to spot these pikas.

Blue Duke 

A blue duke butterfly. Image credit: Sandipoutsider via Wikimedia Commons.

On World Environment Day in 2022, the Sikkim government declared the blue duke as the state butterfly. It was a close competition between the blue duke and the Krishna peacock, which the former won. The blue duke's colours, blue and white, are said to symbolise the blue sky and white snow-capped mountains of Sikkim. The blue duke was first recorded in the state in 1858 and is currently protected as a Schedule 2 species as per the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. It is endemic to the eastern Himalayan region, occurring at altitudes below 1,500 m. In Sikkim, it is common in Yangsum, Tadong, Ranka, Pakyong, Lingee, and Passingdong.

Himalayan Monal

A Himalayan monal on snow. Image credit: AJIT HOTA via Wikimedia Commons.

If you visit the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, you may spot the resplendent Himalayan monal. The bird inhabits the alpine meadows at the sanctuary's high altitudes near the village of Zuluk. Its array of bright colours makes it a favourite of wildlife photographers. However, since it is found in challenging terrains, it cannot be approached easily and must be observed from long distances in most cases. The bird is a vigorous digger that digs into the ground for tubers and roots. It also feeds on insects, seeds, berries, shoots, etc.

Himalayan Goral

A Himalayan goral on a rocky ledge. Image credit: Akhilesh Tambe via Wikimedia Commons.

The Himalayan goral is an ungulate that is well-adapted to live in the mountains. Its brown colour camouflages it quite well in the rocky mountains, where it often rests on rocky ledges during the day. The goral is crepuscular and lives in groups of four to 12. It feeds on leaves and grasses. The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary is a great destination to look out for these highly agile mountain bovids. It is a near-threatened species suffering from habitat loss and poaching for meat.

Mrs. Gould's Sunbird

Mrs. Gould's Sunbird. Image credit: Mildeep via Wikimedia Commons.

Named after a famous British bird artist, Elizabeth Gould, this sunbird is among India's most colourful birds. Mrs. Gould's sunbird is mostly a resident species that lives in evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forests at altitudes of 1,000 to 3,500 m above sea level. The bird feeds mostly on nectar but also occasionally on insects. The bird has been recorded in the The Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary and other parts of the state.