A rare Sichuan takin calf born at the Minnesota Zoo May 8th is now on exhibit and ready to meet visitors.
The male calf has been off exhibit since his birth to make sure he was healthy and bonding with mom. His name is "Jingxi", Chinese for "surprise", as the calf's arrival was a surprise to zoo staffers. He is now on exhibit on the Northern Trail with his mother, father, and another takin.
The Chinese refer to the takin as "Ling Niu" or "antelope cow." This unusual-looking relative of the musk ox looks like a small moose, climbs like a mountain goat, has short curved horns like a gnu, and snorts.
Takin are considered national treasures in their native China: They are quite rare in North America, with less than 75 takin
in just 20 North American zoos. They are found in forest mountainsides in China, and prefer mid-altitude mountains, dense undergrowth, and rocky hillsides.
"Little is known about their numbers in the wild due to
their inaccessible habitat," says Northern Trail Supervisor Diana Weinhardt. "Illegal hunting and habitat destruction, due to an increase in human population, threaten these animals."
Takin stand 3 to 4 feet high, eat shrubs, grasses, and leaves. They are even able to stand on their hind legs and reach branches 10 feet off the ground.
There are three subspecies of takin: Mishmi, Golden, and Sichuan. The Mishmi takin, found in India, Bhutan, and Burma, can be recognized by its chocolate-brown coat. The
Golden takin, named for its golden color, is found in China, as is the Sichuan takin, whose appearance can be considered a mix of the other two subspecies. It sports a golden face with a dark-colored body.
The Minnesota Zoo participates in a breeding loan agreement with other zoos, a valuable tool allowing zoos to breed unrelated animals. All takin are managed cooperatively between the zoos.
