TDTashi Dhendup

Conservation scientist · Bhutan & Australia

Science for a wilder,
more connected world.

I'm Tashi Dhendup, a wildlife researcher working at the intersection of field ecology, conservation genetics, and evidence-based species recovery.

Explore my work ↗View publications ↓
ResearchWildlife ecology
PracticeSpecies conservation
PlaceHimalayan landscapes
Portrait of Tashi Dhendup

Field science.
Conservation impact.

27.5142° N
90.4336° E

01 / About me

Research rooted
in the landscape.

I study how wildlife persists in complex, human-shaped landscapes—and how science can help it thrive.

My work combines field surveys, camera trapping, spatial ecology, and conservation genetics. I collaborate with government, communities, and conservation organisations to turn robust evidence into practical action for threatened species.

Camera trappingSpatial ecologyConservation geneticsSpecies assessments

Professional appointments

2025 - present

PhD Researcher; Freelance biodiversity consultant

2023 - 2025

Head, Bhutan Tiger Centre

Department of Forests and Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan

2013 - 2023

Senior Forestry Officer

Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training, Department of Forests and Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan

Education

2025 - present

PhD Candidate, Wildlife Ecology

Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Australia

2017 - 2019

M.Sc., Wildlife Biology

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, USA

2008 - 2012

B.Sc., Forestry

College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, India

Professional affiliations

Member

International Executive Committee, Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS), 2026 - present

Member

Clouded Leopard Working Group, 2020 - present

Member

Manul Working Group, 2020 - present

Member

IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, 2017 - present

Reviewer

Wildlife Letters; Ecology and Evolution; Ecology; Global Ecology and Conservation; Conservation Genetics; Journal of Threatened Taxa; CATnews; National Geographic Level I grants

IUCN Red List Assessor

Pallas's cat, leopard cat, Asiatic golden cat, snow leopard, marbled cat and Chinese pangolin, 2015 - present

News & updates

Recent activity.

August 2026

New photographic evidence of the Tibetan fox published in Canid Biology and Conservation.

Read more ↗
August 2026

New paper published on wolves in Ecology and Evolution: Wolves in Bhutan Are Part of the Ancient Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco) Lineage.

Read more ↗
February 2026

Country status of snow leopards published in Snow Leopard Reports. This is part of the global IUCN Red List assessment for the species.

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January 2026

New paper in Environmental DNA with collaborators from ETH Zurich, WWF and Royal University of Bhutan.

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January 2026

Attended the first meeting as a member of the International Executive Committee of the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS), currently hosted by IBCA.

02 / Selected works

From field data
to conservation.

Selected work spanning research, assessment, and on-the-ground conservation.

A tiger recorded by a field camera trap01

Landscape ecology

Wild felids across Bhutan

Using camera traps and spatial evidence to understand the distribution of tigers, leopards, and other wild cats across changing landscapes.

View related work ↗
A red panda in forest habitat02

Conservation genetics

Red panda connectivity

Examining habitat suitability, genetic structure, and landscape connectivity to guide long-term red panda conservation.

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IUCN Red List logo03

Threatened species

Species assessments

Bringing field knowledge and rigorous evidence to Red List assessments, species recovery, and conservation planning.

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eDNA04

Biodiversity monitoring

2023–2025

Environmental DNA

Piloting watershed-based eDNA approaches alongside camera trapping to strengthen biodiversity monitoring and conservation decision-making in Bhutan.

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Canis lupus chanco05

Species distribution

Himalayan wolf

Mapping the distribution and potential habitat of the Himalayan wolf across Bhutan to improve knowledge of this vulnerable and little-studied carnivore.

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Vanishing Treasures06

Climate & coexistence

2023–2025

UNEP Vanishing Treasures

Supporting climate-resilient mountain ecosystems, human-wildlife coexistence, and conservation of Royal Bengal tigers and their habitats in Bhutan.

View work story ↗

03 / Research publications

Evidence, shared.

01

Peer-reviewed publications

40 records+

2026

  1. Dhendup, T., Rinzin, P., Tandin, T., Letro, L., Wangdi, S. (2026). First photographic evidence of the Tibetan fox in Bhutan. Canid Biology & Conservation, 29(4), 12-14.
  2. Dhendup, T., Sampedro, A., Robinson, J. J., Janečka, J. E. & Werhahn, G. (2026). Wolves in Bhutan are part of the ancient Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) lineage. Ecology and Evolution, 16(8), e74201.
  3. Dhendup, T. (2026). Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) status in Bhutan. Snow Leopard Reports, 5(1).
  4. Dhendup, T. et al. (2026). Pallas's cat recorded in Bhutan after a decade. CATnews, 85, 13-14.
  5. Sherub, K., Thurnheer, S., Luthi, M., Marques, V., Lyet, A., Dhendup, T., Dorji, L., Albouy, C. & Pellissier, L. (2026). Comparing watershed-based eDNA sampling and camera trapping for assessing mammal diversity in North-western Bhutan. Environmental DNA, 8, e70242.

2025

  1. Dhendup, T., Robinson, J.J., Sorger, G., Wangdi, S. & Janecka, J.E. (2025). Population genetic structure and connectivity of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in and surrounding Bhutan. Global Ecology and Conservation, e03860.
  2. Sherub, K., Dhendup, T., Albouy, C. & Pellissier, L. (2025). Mapping the landscape of livestock depredation: local perceptions as an indicator of conflict severity in north-western Bhutan. Global Ecology and Conservation, e03705.
  3. Petersen, W.J., Coudrat, C.N.Z., Dhendup, T., Ghimirey, Y., Gray, T.N.E., Shariff, M., Montomery, C., Mukherjee, S., Rahman, H. & Kun, S. (2025). Catopuma temminckii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T4038A245236583.

2024

  1. Dorji, R., Letro, Yangden, S., Dhendup, P., Dhendup, T. & Lhamo, Y. (2024). What enables snow leopards to travel long distances? Snow Leopard Reports, 3, 13-20.
  2. Dhendup, T., Letro, Tandin & Wangdi, S. (2024). Distribution and the potential habitats of the Himalayan wolf Canis lupus chanco in Bhutan. Oryx, 1-4.
  3. Dhendup, T. et al. (2024). Tiger, snow leopard and the common leopard co-occur in Bhutan. CATnews, 79, 24-28.

2023

  1. Dhendup, T., Sharma, S., Painter, S., Whiteley, A.R. & Mills, L.S. (2023). Evidence of tiger population structure and dispersal in the montane conservation landscape of Bhutan. Global Ecology and Conservation, 43, e02459.
  2. Akrim, F. et al. (2023). Niche partitioning by sympatric civets in the Himalayan foothills of Pakistan. PeerJ, 11, e14741.

2022

  1. Dhendup, T. (2022). Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis in Bhutan and emerging threats. CATnews, 76, 48-51.
  2. Dhendup, T. & Tamang, K.T.D. (2022). Rich felid diversity in the forests around Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. CATnews, 76, 43-45.
  3. Ghimirey, Y. et al. (2022). Mainland leopard cat retains its Least Concern status. CATnews, 76, 4-7.
  4. Dorji, K., Dorji, N.P., Sheeran, L. & Dhendup, T. (2022). Tiger in the buffer of Gangtey-Phobji Ramsar site and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. CATnews, 75, 23-24.
  5. Ghimirey, Y., Petersen, W., Jahed, N., Akash, M., Lynam, A.J., Kun, S., Din, J., Nawaz, M.A., Singh, P., Dhendup, T., Marcus, C., Gray, T.N.E. & Phyoe Kyaw, P. (2022). Prionailurus bengalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T18146A212958253.

2021

  1. Wangchuk, J. et al. (2021). Community perception of ecosystem services from commercially managed forests in Bhutan. Ecosystem Services, 50, 101335.
  2. Dhendup, T. (2021). Results from a pilot camera trap survey on Pallas's cat in western Bhutan. CATnews, 72, 34-36.
  3. Dakpa, R. & Dhendup, T. (2021). Camera trap records a tiger close to Phrumsengla National Park. CATnews, 72, 28-29.

2020

  1. Robinson, Z., Bell, D., Dhendup, T., Luikart, G., Whiteley, A. & Kardos, M. (2020). Evaluating the outcomes of genetic rescue. Conservation Biology.
  2. Stahlke, A. et al. (2020). Population genomics training for the next generation of conservation geneticists: ConGen 2018 workshop. Journal of Heredity, esa001.
  3. Letro, L., Wangchuk, S. & Dhendup, T. (2020). Distribution of the Asiatic black bear and its interaction with humans in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, Bhutan. Nature Conservation Research, 5(1), 44-45.
  4. Ross, S., Barashkova, A., Dhendup, T., Munkhtsog, B., Smelansky, I., Barclay, D. & Moqanaki, E. (2020). Otocolobus manul (errata version published in 2020). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T15640A180145377.

2019

  1. Dhendup, T., Thinley, K. & Tenzin, U. (2019). Mammal diversity in a montane forest in central Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 11(13), 14757-14763.
  2. Akrim, F. et al. (2019). Diet composition and niche overlap between two sympatric carnivores in north-eastern Pakistan. Wildlife Biology, 2019(1).
  3. Dhendup, T. (2019). Distribution and threats to clouded leopards in Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan. Nature Conservation Research, 3(Suppl. 2), 97-102.
  4. Tenzin, J. et al. (2019). Six felid species occur outside protected areas in south-central Bhutan. CATnews, 70, 25-27.
  5. Ross, S. et al. (2019). Past, present, and future threats and conservation needs of Pallas's cats. CATnews Special Issue, 13.
  6. Dhendup, T. et al. (2019). Distribution and status of the manul in the Himalayas and China. CATnews Special Issue, 13.

2018

  1. Dhendup, T. & Dorji, R. (2018). Camera trap records of small carnivores from Gedu Territorial Forest Division. Small Carnivore Conservation, 56, 36-41.
  2. Dhendup, T. & Dorji, R. (2018). Occurrence of six felid species outside protected areas in Bhutan. CATnews, 68.

2017

  1. Dhendup, T. & Dorji, R. (2017). First record of the Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine from western Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 9(11), 10959-10960.
  2. Wangdi, K., Dhendup, T. & Tshering, T.T. (2017). A critical habitat for the conservation of the white-bellied heron in Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 9(2), 9862-9863.

2016

  1. Dhendup, T., Tempa, T., Norbu, N. & Tshering, T.T. (2016). New distribution records of the Bhutan takin in Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 8(11), 9365-9366.
  2. Dhendup, T. (2016). Status of Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii in Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 8(4), 8698-8702.
  3. Dhendup, T., Tempa, T. & Nawang, N. (2016). Camera-trap records of Asiatic golden cats at high altitudes in Bhutan. CATnews, 64, 37-38.
  4. Dhendup, T., Tempa, T. & Tenzin, U. (2016). Clouded leopard co-exists with six other felids in Royal Manas National Park. CATnews, 63, 24-27.

2015

  1. McCarthy, J., Dahal, S., Dhendup, T., Gray, T.N.E., Mukherjee, S., Rahman, H., Riordan, P., Boontua, N. & Willcox, D. (2015). Catopuma temminckii (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T4038A97165437.
02

Books

2 records+
  1. Wild Cats of Bhutan. (2024). Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, Bhutan.
  2. Glimpses of Bhutan's Tiger Kingdom: Camera trap photos from the National Tiger Survey 2021-2022. (2023). Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Royal Government of Bhutan, Bhutan.
03

Book chapters

1 record+
  1. Wangchuk, T.R. & Dhendup, T. (2024). Snow leopard conservation in Bhutan. In D. Mallon & T. McCarthy (Eds.), Snow Leopards (Second Edition), pp. 505-512. Academic Press.
04

Government & technical reports

10 records+
  1. Dhendup, T., Thakur, M., Letro & Wangdi, S. (2024). Status of Red Panda in Bhutan: National Red Panda Survey Report 2023. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  2. Dorji, L., Letro, Wangdi, S. & Dhendup, T. (2024). Status of biodiversity in Bhutan: Results from Biodiversity Monitoring Grids. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  3. Lyet, A. et al. (2024). Piloting environmental DNA (eDNA) to revolutionise biodiversity monitoring and conservation decision-making in Bhutan. Department of Forests and Park Services, WWF, SPYGEN and ETH Zurich.
  4. Tshering, C. et al. (2024). Climate risk assessment for Vanishing Treasure pilot sites. Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forestry Research and Training.
  5. Dhendup, T. (2024). Supplementary baseline survey of mammals, birds and fish of the Dorjilung Hydropower Project. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  6. Yangdon, N. et al. (2023). Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Bhutan 2022-2023. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  7. Letro et al. (2023). National Snow Leopard Survey Report 2022-2023. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  8. Tshering, D., Dhendup, T., Peldon, S. & Tshering, T. (2022). Medicinal plants used by local healers for traditional healing in Bhutan. UWICER.
  9. Field Manual for the National Snow Leopard Survey 2022-2023. Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services.
  10. Wangchuk, S. et al. (2018). Historically Significant Trees of Bhutan. UWICER, Department of Forests and Park Services.
05

Species action plans

4 records+
  1. Dhendup, T., Letro & Wangdi, S. (2024). Tiger Action Plan for Bhutan 2024-2033. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  2. Dhendup, T., Letro & Wangdi, S. (2024). Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan for Bhutan 2024-2033. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  3. Dhendup, T., Letro & Wangdi, S. (2023). Asiatic Black Bear Conservation Action Plan for Bhutan 2023-2033. Department of Forests and Park Services.
  4. Letro, Dhendup, T., Wangdi, S. & Wangchuk, R. (2023). Conservation Action Plan for Hornbills of Bhutan 2023-2033. Department of Forests and Park Services.

04 / Media

Stories &
features.

Blogs, articles, interviews, and videos I have written or been featured in.

National Geographic profile ↗
Kuensel

Bhutan’s wolves belong to ancient Himalayan wolf lineage

Read or watch ↗
IUCN Save Our Species webinar

Securing the future of tigers in the Bhutan–Manas complex

Read or watch ↗
World Wildlife Magazine

Small wonder

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UN Environment Programme

In Bhutan, the endangered Bengal tiger is making a comeback

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IUCN

In Bhutan, happiness is policy and tiger numbers are on the rise

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National Geographic

Meet the Next Generation of National Geographic Explorers

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Bhutan Broadcasting Service

Study reveals presence of Himalayan wolves in country, need for conservation action

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BBS video

Tigers and humans: farmers in Nubi Gewog embrace pasturelands to protect livestock

Read or watch ↗
Big Cats · November–December 2024

Bhutan Shows the Way in Protection

Cover of Big Cats magazine, November–December 2024
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05 / Connect

Let's create work
that matters.

I'm open to research collaborations, technical assessments, speaking, and conservation partnerships. Please connect through one of my professional profiles.

For privacy, my phone number and email address are not published on this website.

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