Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden welcomes baby takin

  

Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is experiencing a bit of a baby boom this spring.  The latest edition is a first for the zoo, a female takin calf.  “Ching Lan”, which means beautiful orchid in Chinese, made her debut today in the Asia Valley area of the zoo. Born to first-time parents, the calf is thriving and zoo staff is very pleased with the attention her parents are giving her.

Zoo Director Amos Morris said, “The takin are doing exactly what they need to be doing for their offspring and we are all enjoying watching wildlife at its best.”  

Takin are found throughout Tibet and several provinces of China. Once thought to be related to muskox, the takin is now known to be more related to sheep. Takin are equipped for life at higher altitudes and can withstand very cold temperatures. Takin are considered a vulnerable species due to loss of habitat and habitat destruction.  Takin have taken their spot among today’s pop culture as the physical features of “Beast” from Disney’s animated feature film “Beauty and the Beast” was based on the takin.

 

Attached are  photos of Ching Lan with her mother, Dawa.  Photo is courtesy of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

 

For additional information on Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden,  visit www.meskerparkzoo.com