The Mishmi takin is the original subspecies of takin, an impressive member of the cattle family from the Himalayan mountains, sometimes nicknamed the “mountain gnu”. You can recognise it by its dark brown coat with golden glints and its rounded, bulging nose. It can weigh up to 350 kg and moves surprisingly nimbly over steep ground between 2,000 and 4,500 metres above sea level. Another subspecies, the Bhutan takin, is the national animal of that country, and some people see the coat of China’s golden takin as the origin of the Golden Fleece of Greek mythology. Outside the mating season it is sociable, living in large herds in summer and splitting into small groups in winter. The park’s zoological director is the European coordinator for takins, and three takins have been born at the park since 2020.