Takin

Often likened to a moose with a bee-stung nose, the Takin is a stocky ungulate with a deep chest and a thick, shaggy coat. These animals stand up to 140 cm at the shoulder and possess a long, arched snout along with stout, ridged horns that can reach 64 cm in length. Their hair varies in color but generally features a dark stripe along the spine. To mark their territory, they secrete a pungent, oily substance across their entire bodies. They are found in the eastern Himalayas, ranging from the forested valleys to rocky alpine grasslands at heights reaching 4,500 m.

Travellers may find them in small family groups of about 20, though massive herds of 300 gather on high slopes during the summer. These animals are active feeders in the early morning and late afternoon, eating grasses, flowers, and bamboo shoots. They are even known to stand on their hind legs to reach leaves over 3.1 m high. Salt is a vital dietary requirement, often drawing groups to mineral deposits for days at a time. When they sense danger, they use a coughing alarm call before retreating into bamboo thickets to hide.

Populations have declined significantly and face several pressures. Their survival is challenged by the destruction of their natural environment and excessive hunting. Additionally, their horns are sometimes sold openly in illegal wildlife markets. This unique species, which serves as the national animal of Bhutan, remains uncommon in the wild.