Despite its gigantic size, the Sichuan takin is a herbivore native to China. They love to gather in a group of three to five, or as many as 45, and wander in forests of Sichuan and Gansu provinces.
Thanks to its strong hooves, Sichuan takins can easily climb vertically on a steep cliff for food according to the season. They can also jump as high as two meters when they feel threatened.
Apart from plants, Sichuan takins are salt aficionados. From June to October, especially at noon, they come to the saline land in the forest to lick salt and stay for over half an hour. The salt helps them obtain minerals that are good for their health.
For more:
Wildlife of Wolong: The king of the sky
Wildlife of Wolong: The partridge that loves rhododendron forests
Wildlife of Wolong: Temminck's tragopans in the dense forest
Wildlife of Wolong: The clever snow pigeons
Wildlife of Wolong: The brave snow partridges
Wildlife of Wolong: The big family of golden snub-nosed monkeys
Wildlife of Wolong: The blue sheep in the alpine zone
Wildlife of Wolong: The elves of the forest
Wildlife of Wolong: the 'vegetarian' carnivore
Wildlife of Wolong: The solitary night hunter
Wildlife of Wolong: The 'rainbow' in the misty mountain
Wildlife of Wolong: The cute pika catcher
Wildlife of Wolong: The deer with 'vampire fangs'
(All photos by He Xiao'an, head of the Publicity Department of Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration in Sichuan Province)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)