Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary Records First Sighting of Smew

Assam’s Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagaon district records its first-ever sighting of the Smew (Mergellus albellus), a rare migratory waterbird. The same waterbird survey also documents the presence of the globally endangered Bengal Florican in the sanctuary.

Smew and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary:

Dimension	Key Details
Taxonomy	The Smew comprises a small species of diving duck belonging to the family Anatidae.
Location within sanctuary	The Smew is recorded across key wetland bodies (beels) of the sanctuary: Rowmari, Dondowa, and Muamari.
Ecological indicator	The Smew serves as a direct indicator of the health, water quality, and ecological stability of Laokhowa’s wetland ecosystem.
Breeding range	The Smew is native to the taiga and boreal forest zones of northern Eurasia, including Finland, Russia, and Scandinavia.
Migratory pattern	The Smew migrates south during winter to ice-free coastal waters, inland lakes, and river basins in Central Asia, Europe, and occasionally South Asia.
Physical traits	The Smew is recognized by distinct black-and-white breeding plumage in males, a “panda-like” facial mask, and a crest on the head.
IUCN Red List status	The Smew is listed as Least Concern globally.
Status in Indian subcontinent	The Smew is considered a rare winter visitor in the Indian subcontinent.
Co-sighting in survey	The same waterbird survey documents the presence of the globally endangered Bengal Florican.
Conservation actions	The conservation impact comprises anti-poaching, enforcement against illegal fishing, and habitat restoration drives across the Laokhowa-Burhachapori eco-landscape.
Sanctuary location	Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Nagaon district of Assam.
Ecological connectivity	Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary forms a vital contiguous corridor within the broader Kaziranga-Laokhowa-Burhachapori-Orang landscape and facilitates animal movement across the Brahmaputra floodplain.
Habitat	Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary comprises alluvial grasslands, semi-evergreen forests, and a complex network of freshwater wetlands (beels).
Key fauna	Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is historically famous for the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and diverse migratory waterfowl.