Elusive and rare, the Sichuan takin is one of the world’s least-studied migratory ungulates. Initial research has revealed seasonal movement patterns and habitat preferences for this mysterious species. In Sichuan, one of the species’ remaining population centers, takin persist in a mosaic of protected areas established to protect the giant panda. There, they thrive in mature forests with bamboo understory. In these temperate mountains, takin undertake two migration cycles throughout the year that are unique among other mountain ungulate species. In spring and autumn, the animals migrate in small groups or alone to lower elevation areas near 1,500m, likely to take advantage of specific plant growth and forest types. As spring turns to summer, takin form larger herds as they migrate to alpine meadows at 3,000m, the highest part of their range in the mountains at tree line. When the frost arrives, takin migrate first down to the river bottoms before returning to a mid-elevation forest zone where they feed on bamboo understory throughout the winter. When spring returns they move to track the progression of spring green up towards the high meadows once more. More research is needed to understand the full scope of the takin’s migrations in Sichuan, and elsewhere in the species’ global range.