A few hours’ drive from Wangdue is Phobjika valley. It is a famous place because it is the winter resting place of the rare black necked cranes. It is one of the important wildlife preserves of the country. In addition to the cranes Phobjikha also has other wild animals like the barking deer, wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalaya black bears, leopards and red foxes.
The black necked cranes can be spotted in the meadows of the valley during winters. The Royal Society for Protection of Nature has started a crane festival dedicated to the unique birds.
These birds migrate from the high plains of the Tibetan plateau in Winter to the milder climate of Phobjika.