RARE ANIMAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

RARE ANIMAL.

FIRST . TAKIN TO REACH EUROPE

ALIVE,

The Zoological Society has just received and placed on exhibition at the gardens in Regent's Park a fine young example of the takin, which, next to, the okapi, is the rarest and least known of the ruminants. The takin comes me where between goats and antelopes. Takins are heavily built and powerful animals. An adult male stands throe and a-lialf feet high at the shoulder. They are thickly clad with long and - coarse dark-coloured hair, which forms a thick fringe Tound the neck. Very little is known, of their habits, as they are natives of .the highlands of' Tibet, and have been Seen by very few white sportsmen, while no example hae hitherto reached ; Europe alive. Several years ago a. single specimen was captured, after killing one hunter and 'wounding another. It was taken to India, but died as the result of eating aconite, and ite skull and skin were sent to the British Museum. The animal which has now reached the Zoological Gardens was captured by the Maharajah of Bhutan's' men in North-West Bhutan. The British India Steamship Company made special arrangements for its care on the sea vayage, and it has reached London apparently in good health.