Sichuan Takin

Takins, considered to be a Chinese national treasure, are large, muscular mammals covered with thick hair and bearing crescent-shaped horns. Sometimes called goat antelopes, these animals look like a cross between a wildebeest, a moose, a bear, and a bison. Takins have split hooves that allow them to nimbly navigate rocky landscapes.

Well adapted for freezing temperatures in the northern Himalayas, takins grow a secondary coat for insulation in the winter and then shed it for summer. Their skin creates an oily substance that protects them during rain storms and fog. Large snouts house big sinus cavities to warm inhaled air before reaching the lungs, allowing them to conserve body heat while breathing cold air.

Though takins appear to be quiet creatures, they can produce a variety of sounds to communicate with each other. A “cough” alerts the herd to danger; a mother uses a high-pitched “rrr” to call her kid; and a guttural “bellow” is used to intimidate a male rival during a fight.

The very first takin at the Edmonton Valley Zoo arrived in 2003. There are currently six resident takins in our herd!