Golden takins get a bigger enclosure

Animal news | 15 July 2021

A little shy at first, our group of five golden takins soon took a keen interest in their new, much larger enclosure. Over the last few months, the enclosure housing the Manchurian cranes and the former Père David’s deer enclosure was converted into a new home for our majestic golden-haired ungulates, giving Shen and the two females Joko and Chengdu and their offspring Cuong and Dagu more than twice as much space to roam (1,900 m²). Shady spots to rest in, a new formation of craggy rocks to climb, spacious grassy areas and a bathing pool make their new residence much more attractive both for the animals and their visitors, who can now observe the animals from a range of perspectives, and often with a clear line of sight. The golden takins wasted no time marking their new territory on the first day by rubbing themselves thoroughly against the trees and installations, making the enclosure very much their own. Meanwhile, the Manchurian cranes observed their new roommates from a safe distance in a separate zone which is reserved for them alone, and to which they can retreat any time. But they soon got over their shyness and have now welcomed the golden takins into their home.