State animal and state bird.

While the focus of our conservation education and awareness programme is on Hoolock gibbons (Hoolock hoolock) we had modules introducing the wildlife occurring in Saiha region and wildlife rich areas in Mizoram. As a part of the later we discussed the state animal and state bird with the participants.

To put across the concept (of the state species) as charismatic and alluring species that are closely identified with a region we showed a picture of the rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), and put forth how its identity was closely linked with that of Assam of which it is the state animal. Even the transport buses have a symbol of the animal! Some of the participants identified it saying that they had seen it on television and calendars while one of them had visited the Guwahati zoo.


Most of the participants were familiar with the national bird and national animal and at the same time unaware of their state counterparts. We had downloaded pictures from the internet besides using those in the field guides to boost the interactions.

Serow (Naemorhedus sumatraensis) or Saza as it is locally known is the state animal while Mrs Humes Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) or Vavu is the state bird. R Lydekker says of the Serow in The Wild Animals of India, Burma, Malaya and Tibet ~ “A solitary animal, no where abundant, it is never found far away from wood, and often takes up its abode in thick forest, or scrub jungle, which is mainly formed by a long thin reed like bamboo, being an especial favourite in the Eastern Himalaya.”

On seeing the pictures the participants said that Saza (Serow) was bigger than the goat and its ears were similar to that of a donkey. While of Vavu (Mrs Humes Pheasant) they said it was bigger than a jungle fowl and on top of that had a long tail !

We shared that while none of them were seen during our surveys in the region both of them could occur at Blue Mountain National Park (nearest protected area and one of the discussion topics). Also that while Saza is found near cliffs the Vavu occurs higher in the hills.

In our modules we try to bring in comparisons of elements within the topic of discussion with elements the participants would have a high level of familiarity with and it was interesting to hear participants take the same route! It did convey that the approach works signalling at the same time that we will need high levels of familiarity with participants to bring in comparisons that are amicable while being pertinent.

We thank the participants of our programme for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

For details email to Nimesh.ved@gmail.com