Potawatomi Zoo announces birth of Sichuan takin kid

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Potawatomi Zoo welcomed its newest resident, a Sichuan takin kid, on Wednesday.

The new babe is a healthy female born to mother Yi-Liu and father Caboose.

“This is our first takin kid since 2019, and we couldn’t be happier,” says Josh Sisk, director of animal programs and education. “Not a lot of people have even heard of Sichuan takin, and we hope that by coming to the Zoo and seeing this baby, they’ll be inspired to learn more about this really cool, rare Asian species.”

Sichuan takin are a vulnerable species native to Tibet and the provinces of Gansu, Xinjiang, and Sichuan in the People’s Republic of China.

These animals prefer mid- to high-altitude mountains and eat grasses, leaves, and shrubs.

The birth of the Zoo’s newest resident is part of a recommended breeding by the Sichuan takin Species Survival Plan program.

Fewer than 20 zoos in the United States have Sichuan takin. All these zoos are part of the Species Survival Plan program.