The hot weather continues, but how are you all doing? Tama Zoo is currently raising a total of eight Golden Takin: four males and four females.

Golden Takin Golden Takin native to the mountainous regions of China and therefore do not tolerate heat well. For this reason, their enclosure is surrounded by trees and is located in a shaded area throughout the day, allowing them to stay relatively cool even in summer. However, the heat in Tama has become increasingly severe each year, so measures have been taken to combat the heat, such as installing fans in the animal enclosures and creating puddles by sprinkling water in the enclosure. However, 2023 was predicted to be even hotter than usual, so additional heat countermeasures were taken in the enclosure, including the installation of sunshades to increase shade.


Fuku resting under the shade.
Golden Takin can place their forelegs on walls and stand on their hind legs, reaching heights of nearly 3 meters. Since they could potentially remove the sunshade if their faces or horns could reach it, it needed to be installed at a height they couldn't reach even when standing. There were also several challenges, such as the limited number of places in the exercise area where a large sunshade could be secured. We were able to overcome these challenges by using ropes to secure the sunshade to artificial rocks and grates, but it was difficult to put up such a large sunshade by myself, so I worked together with other animal keeper, discussing and coordinating with them, and it took three days to finally install it.

In the enclosure for Mutsu (male) and Outen (male), when the sunshade was first installed, both seemed surprised by the unfamiliar sight and looked up at it for about 30 minutes. From the next day onward, they settled comfortably under the sunshade, eating and sleeping. Fuuka (female) and Fuku (female) also seemed to like the sunshade, and we observed them taking turns using it.


Mutsu and Outen are very interested in the sunshade.
Each Golden Takin has its own unique way of spending the summer. Besides seeking shade, some cool off by resting between shady rocks, while others dip their feet in water.

When you visit Tama Zoo, please take your time to relax in the shade of the trees and enjoy watching the animals.


"Hama" - a place to dip your feet in flowing water.
[Yagawa, Tama Zoo]

◎Related News
・ Takin baby "Fuka" (April 9, 2004)
・ Golden Takin pups are growing up and can even climb cliffs without a problem! (June 4, 2010)
・ The growth of Golden Takin "Reika" (January 8, 2016)
・ Golden Takin has been born. (January 26, 2017)
・ Another Golden Takin has been born. (February 23, 2017)
・ The smell of Golden Takin (March 1, 2019)
・ Golden Takin has been born! (July 25, 2019)
・ The birth of Takin "Hama" and the past year at Takin enclosure (December 20, 2019)
・ Video released! Malayan Tapir birth, Golden Takin butting heads, and more. (February 15, 2020)
・ Golden Takin, "Hoi" and "Nazuna," move. (March 19, 2023)

(September 8, 2023)