Minnesota Zoo has new takin

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: April 23, 2008 - 4:11 PM

When it comes to the takin -- a relative to the musk ox and the mountain goat -- the Chinese rank it among their most revered species.

Today, the Minnesota Zoo announced the arrival of a baby takin into the world. The birth occurred at 10:30 a.m., and it's still too early to determine its gender.

The mom is Xing Xing, and this is her eighth calf. This is the third calf for the dad, Gesong. The three are on display today, but the newborn will likely go behind the scenes Thursday and Friday to "ensure its health and safety and also to undergo a neonatal exam," the zoo said in a news release.

Only 50 takin are found in 12 zoos in North America, said zoo spokeswoman Kelly Lessard.

China has given the takin full protection and considers it a "National Treasure." The same goes for the giant panda and golden monkey, which share overlapping ranges with the Sichuan takin, the subspecies on display at the Minnesota Zoo.

Takins weigh 11 to 15 pounds when born and almost always are single births. When grown, they range from 500 to 700 pounds, stand from 30 to 52 inches tall at the shoulder and measure from 4 to 7 feet in length from the head to the base of the tail.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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