Which animal is the national animal of Bhutan?

The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.

The takin is a large, stocky hoofed mammal found in the eastern Himalayas. Bhutan selected it as its national animal because of its strong association with local Buddhist tradition and the country’s mountain environment. It is also known for its unusual appearance, with a heavy body, short legs and a broad, arched nose.

Takin mythology is linked to Drukpa Kunley, a 15th-century Tibetan saint popularly known as the Divine Madman. According to legend, he joined the head and bones of a goat with the body of a cow, creating the animal after being challenged to perform a miracle.

The takin belongs to the genus Budorcas and is related to sheep and goats. Four commonly recognised subspecies are associated with different Himalayan and neighbouring regions. Bhutan’s national animal should not be confused with the yak, another important mountain animal in Himalayan cultures.