New plants and animals found in Himalayas

The Himalayan region, including Bhutan, boasts few species that were yet unknown to mankind as World Wide Funds (WWF) researchers discover 211 new species in the region. The discovery has been made over a time period of five years while surveying at Eastern Himalayas and Northeast region. The newly discovered species includes a frog with blue eyes, a walking blue fish, and a snub-nosed monkey that sneezes when it rains.

Of these, 15 were from Bhutan that include 11 plants, and a fish, a bird, a snake, and a moth each.

While searching for wildlife in regions like Nepal, Bhutan, the far north of Myanmar, southern Tibet and north-eastern India, the WWF researchers found 211 new species including 133 plant species, 26 fish species, 10 new amphibians, one mammal, one bird and one reptile.

Some newly discovered species raised the eyebrows of the scientists like vibrant blue dwarf walking snakehead fish that can inhale atmospheric air can survive up to four days on land and snub nose monkey amazed the scientists with its upturned nose.

“With discovery, comes the important responsibility to continue protecting and caring for these precious gift that this world has been blessed with,” said Dechen Dorji, Country Representative, WWF Bhutan.