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Range and Habitat: The takin has been found in three separate
areas in the west central region of the People's Republic of China,
and along the eastern Himalayas. The exact limits of the range
of each subspecies is difficult to determine. Sichuan takins,
like the ones exhibited at the Minnesota Zoo, are normally found
in tropical evergreen broadleaf and needle forests with dense
stands of rhododendron and bamboo growing along precipitous slopes
up to the timberline at 1200 to 3650 m (4,000 to 12,000 ft) elevations.
Habits and Adaptations: Females live in small herds of
10 to 15 animals, with youngsters and some adult males. Older
males are usually solitary most of the year. In the spring the
takins begin to migrate to upper elevations, eating new growth.
By early summer, the female herds have combined with other herds
to form groups upwards of 100 animals. Young animals have been
observed to be formed into small nursery herds with female "baby-sitters."
The older, solitary males also migrate to these fog-shrouded mountains.
In autumn Sichuan takins disband into smaller herds while descending
to lower elevations before the onset of winter.
Because of their size and because they live in herds, takins
have few predators besides man. Potential large predators - tigers,
bears, and leopards - are rare in China and present little threat
to takins. It is possible that packs of dhole or wolves might
prey on takins.
Takins are slow and deliberate in their movements and tend to
use well-worn trails. They ascend and descend sheer rocky areas
in a ponderous manner, though they can leap nimbly from rock to
rock. Takins are alert and retreat to dense vegetation when alarmed.
When aroused they produce a warning consisting of a hoarse cough
or burp.
Diet: Sichuan takin are herbivores and have been observed
to eat more than 100 different types of forbs and leaves from
shrubs and trees. A short list includes bamboo, rhododendron and
oak leaves, pine, willow and cherry bar, as well as horsetail.
Their size and strength enable them to reach branches up to 2.4
m (8ft) off the grounds, or if necessary, they may lean into a
tree (up to 13 cm - 5 in. in diameter) until it snaps.
Breeding and Maturation: Breeding is believed to take
place in late July through early September, but breeding activity
in these misty upper elevations has yet to be observed and researched
by scientists. The females give birth, usually to one calf, in
March or April of the following year.
Miscellaneous: The Chinese government has given the takin
full protection. It is considered a National Treasure, along with
the giant panda and golden monkey, who also share overlapping
ranges with the Sichuan takin. Its status is listed as indeterminate
by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN). Several reserves have been set up in China for
the giant panda. They also encompass and protect takin habitat.
Several additional reserves have been set up primarily for the
takin. Estimates indicate 1,000 to 1,300 golden takin and several
thousand Sichuan takin exist in the wild.
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