Sichuan Takin (CBIOV)

Review and photographs by Isidro; edited by bmathison1972

Editor’s note: It gives me great pleasure to present the 100th post on the Animal Toy Blog! And our first by forum member, Isidro! Double congratulations!

Here’s the review of the CBIOV takin (Budorcas taxicolor). CBIOV is not a big brand and as far as I know it only produced two species in figure form: the takin and the finless porpoise. There are four subspecies of takin, two of which are available in toy forum: Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) and golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi); this figure represents the former. Both varieties have been produced by CBIOV and are the same figure only the different paintjobs.

Takin is a large member of the cattle family (Bovidae), robust and compact, looking like a cow or buffalo, but actually is more closely related to goats and sheep (subfamily Caprinae). It could be defined as a giant goat. It’s the sole member of the genus Budorcas and it’s divided in four subspecies that differs mainly in coat colour. Takins can measure up to 2.20 meters of head-body length, 1.40 meters of shoulder height, and a maximum of 600 kg. It have a big rounded head with a convex, wildebeest-like muzzle, and short divergent horns, strongly curved upwards, ringed only at the base, and of the same length in both sexes. Males have a darker face than females. The legs are robust with big hooves, and two long spurs that allows it to wander over rocky places. The tail is short, stub-like. The whole skin emits a strong odour caused by a oily substance, unlike other bovines that have localized odour glands.

Takin lives in the Himalayas mountains, between 1000 and 4500 meters above sea. level It’s an endangered species, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. It lives in small herds, tough the older males tend to be solitary. In summer, herds join with other herds forming big migrating groups that travel to highlands for obtain better pastures. In summer, males fight for the possession of the females. Takins can live up to 16 years.

The figure measures 11.2 cm. length and 9.0 cm, tall. It’s close to 1:17 or 1:18 scale. It’s made of PVC and it’s hard and solid. Head is turned to left side. The paintjob is perfectly accurate both in Sichuan and golden variants. The fur is neatly sculpted. Seams can be often visible in top of head (between the horns) and in the chest, but they’re discrete. The belly have more thick fur as in the real animal. The underside of the hooves are flat, not grooved in the middle. The overall figure is very realistic and a must have. The brand stamp is located in the inner part of left hind leg and says “CBIOV” and “Made in China”.

The only takin figures available in the trade are both CBIOV variants and the homemade model by Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko that also comes in Sichuan and golden subspecies. Anna’s takin is considerably smaller than CBIOV’s takin and both are very realistic. The golden takin is believed to have inspired the famous legend of the classic mythology, of Jason and the golden fleece.