Tama Zoo has two enclosures for Golden Takin. In the smaller enclosure on the left, three Golden Takin spend their days together.


Top left: Female "Hoi", Top right: Male "Outen", Bottom: Female "Reika"
The male, "Outen," was born in 2010 and, as his name "Golden" Takin, has beautiful golden fur. The female, "Hoi," was also born in 2010. Another female, "Reika," was born in March 2014 and is Hoi's offspring. Reika is the youngest of the three and is the smallest in size, and her horns are still growing and smaller, so she is easy to distinguish.

Only the males have golden fur; the females have beige fur. Moreover, the sticky oil secreted from their skin can make them appear brown. During this time of year, when there is little rain, there are fewer opportunities to wash away the oil, and the females' bodies are becoming an even darker brown.

Until around summer, baby Reika's oil production wasn't very noticeable, but from around October, when I looked closely, I could see a reddish-brown oil around her head, and I felt that she was gradually becoming like an adult.


Outen and Reika clash head-on.
And recently, we've noticed an even more significant change in Reika's behavior. Since December, she has started butting horns with the male, Outen. Reika used to spend most of her time near her mother, Hoi, but as she grew older, she gradually began to spend more time away from her mother.

However, Reika did have a somewhat timid side, so when I first saw her butt head with Outen, I was surprised and worried, thinking, "Is Reika going to be alright?" But it turned out my worries were unfounded, as I observed her closely and saw Reika powerfully charging towards Outen, as if to say, "I'm your equal!" Being smaller and more agile than Outen, she seemed to be bouncing and leaping around, completely outmaneuvering him. Meanwhile, their mother, Hoi, remained calm and uninterrupted.

Reika sometimes butts horns with Hoi, but it seems she does it more often with Outen. Also, as if to avoid Outen's large and impressive horns, Reika skillfully pushes her head between Outen's face and neck.

On the other hand, Outen doesn't push Reika away with all his might, but instead observes Reika's movements and takes a defensive stance, seemingly adjusting the amount of force he uses. There are even times when the larger Outen is at a lower level than Reika.

Outen and Reika are not actually father and daughter, but they have been sharing the same enclosure since Reika was eight months old. Takin determine their social hierarchy within their group by butting heads. I am watching Reika's development with great interest, believing that she is also developing social skills through these daily activities.

[Hatsue Namaizawa, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, South Tama Zoo]

(January 8, 2016)