Growing developmental activities, such as hydropower construction, farm roads, and other human activities, are affecting the critically endangered white‐bellied heron (WBH). Out of a known global population of 60, 28 individuals inhabit the river basin area and freshwater lakes and ponds of Bhutan. Several constraints impede continuous monitoring of endangered species, such as the isolated and cryptic nature of the species and the remoteness of its habitat; to date, there are no long‐term reference data or techniques implemented for continuous monitoring of this species. In this study, we designed acoustic detection and habitat characterisation methods using long‐duration recordings from three habitat areas in Bhutan. Acoustic indices were extracted and used to implement a species‐specific call detector and to generate habitat soundscape representations. Using WBH calls annotated in month‐long recordings from a known site, a novel indices‐based detector was implemented and tested. A total of 960 hr of continuous audio recordings from three habitats in Bhutan were analysed. We found that a species call detector implemented using a combination of acoustic indices (that includes measures of spectral and temporal entropy and different angles of spectral ridges) has a correct detection rate of 81%. Additionally, visual inspection of the species’ acoustic habitat using long‐duration false‐colour spectrograms enabled qualitative assessment of acoustic habitat structure and other dominant acoustic events. This study proposes a combined approach of species acoustic detection and habitat soundscape analysis for holistic acoustic monitoring of endangered species. As a direct outcome of this work, we documented acoustic reference data on the critically endangered WBH from multiple habitat areas and have analysed its temporal vocalisation patterns across sites.

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Background: Knowing the number of persons at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their risk behaviors are needed to allocate limited resources, set targets for prevention and care activities, gauge the reach of programs, and assess their impact. Female sex workers (FSWs) are a population at high risk for STD worldwide; little is known about FSW in Bhutan. Methods:We conducted a community-based survey and population size exercise of FSW in Bhutan. The survey used a hybrid venue-based/peerreferral sampling method. Population size estimation methods were key informant mapping, census and enumeration, unique object multiplier, and capture-recapture.Results: Of 517 women surveyed, 67.5% provided sex for money in the last year. Compared with FSWs at venues, FSWs referred by peers were more likely to have sex with alcohol (80.1% vs. 51.5%, P < 0.001) and more paying partners (mean, 3.5 vs. 2.0; P = 0.001), and less likely to have tested for an STD (28.3% vs. 51.0%, P < 0.001) or have outreach worker contact (27.6% vs. 41.5%, P = 0.007). The estimated number of FSWs in the 9 districts was 353 (95% confidence interval, 345-362). Extrapolation to the whole country projected 597 (417-777) FSWs nationally.Conclusions: Our estimate of the number of FSW in Bhutan corresponds to 0.71% of adult urban women, a figure in line with other countries in South and Southeast Asia. Our data highlight the need for outreach beyond venues where women are employed to reach FSW at higher risk for STD but who have less access to interventions.

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