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Golden takin
"In winter, the golden takin licks up snow to ensure it gets enough water."
Discover in real lifeLifespan:
16 - 18 years
Weight:
150 - 350 kg
Gestation period:
7 months
Number of young:
1 young
Habitat:
The Qinling Mountains in China
IUCN status:
vulnerable
EEP?
yes
Up and down
Golden takins live in the mountains in China. Through the year they live at different heights. During the summer, you can find the takins high up in the mountains. In autumn they go down the mountain to find more food. When it turns to winter, the takins move a bit higher up. But not as high as during the summer. They probably do this because there is more sunshine higher up the mountain in winter. In the spring they go down again.
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Theme area: On the Move
You can see the Golden takin in the ‘On the Move’ themed area. Here, you’ll discover how animals move around and why moving – or, conversely, staying still – is important for survival.
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Habitat and threats
Golden takins usually live in herds of 10 to 15 animals, although groups of up to 150 animals have also been known. Outside the mating season, females live together with their young and young adult males, while adult males live alone or in male groups. During the mating season, they temporarily join the female herds to mate, after which they go their separate ways again.
The takin's biggest enemy is humans, who hunt them for meat and fur. Loss of habitat due to human activities is also a threat. The limited range in the Qinling Mountains, makes the golden takin especially vulnerable. Golden takins have a protected status in China.
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Species conservation in Eindhoven Zoo
Did you know that more than 4000 animal species are threatened with extinction? Eindhoven Zoo works together with about 325 European zoos to preserve and protect these species. We form the European Zoo Association (EAZA). Together we ensure healthy reserve populations of species with management programs (EEPs).
The status of the Golden Takin is vulnerable; the takins at Eindhoven Zoo are also part of an EEP. Each EEP has a coordinator who manages the zoo population and maintains a studbook with data on a species. Together with a committee, the coordinator gives advice on which animals are allowed to have offspring together and whether animals need to move to another zoo to do so. In this way, the chances of healthy offspring and thus keeping the species alive are greatest. Animals with an EEP can be recognized in Eindhoven Zoo by the logo of a rhino and her calf on the signs.