Over 4,000 wild takins live in Northwest China mountains

XI'AN - More than 4,000 wild takins live in the Qinling Mountains, a natural boundary between the country's north and south, in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, the provincial forestry bureau said Tuesday.

The wild takin, which is an herbivore, is a special species in Asia that mainly inhabited in China. It is listed as a national first-class protected species in the country. The adult wild takin is tall and strong with curved horns and creamy white or brownish-yellow fur.

The improved environment, strengthened protection efforts and tough crackdown on crimes related to wild animals have contributed to the rise of the number of wild takins in the Qinling Mountains, said Dang Shuangren, director of the forestry bureau.

Dozens of takins have been spotted in the mountains, and their habitats are expanding, Dang added.

The Qinling Mountains are home to a huge variety of plants and wild animals such as giant pandas, golden monkeys and crested ibis.