Quantifying Use of Elevated Surfaces for Climbing Sichuan Takins (Budorcas taxicolor) in Human Care

Sichuan takins (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) are capable climbers whose movements in the wild appear to be driven by seasonal variations in resources. Ex situ habitats for takins frequently incorporate elevated features to encourage species-appropriate climbing. We opportunistically observed three takins at the Saint Louis Zoo, split across two adjacent habitats, to quantify their climbing behaviors for 8 months in 2023. One of the males observed was under treatment for arthritis, with additional treatments occurring during the study. Observation sessions were performed several times each day via single 1-min interval scans that recorded elevation status and whether subjects were active, recumbent, or standing still. All takins were observed climbing throughout the study, but repeated measures tests found no significant differences in activity or elevation between months. Takins on elevated structures were less often recorded active when compared to their behavior at ground level, and males were observed more often standing still rather than laying down when elevated compared to the female. The arthritic male was less active and less often observed on elevated structures in his habitat compared to the female and older male, though his activity and climbing seemed to improve after medical interventions that included two rounds of stem cell treatments. Although the sample size was small, this study highlights the importance of planning habitat features relevant to the natural history of species in order to encourage appropriate behaviors.