Central Chinese gorals are a mountain goat species native to the rugged Himalayan mountains of Russia, China, and Korea. These agile creatures thrive in cliffside habitats, where they can easily hide from predators in crevices and rocky ledges. While herds of up to 12 individuals usually consist of females and their young, males are more solitary outside of the breeding season. They primarily browse on leaves, and also snack on grasses, fruits, and nuts.

In the wild, Central Chinese gorals face vulnerability due to habitat loss for agriculture and poaching for fur, meat, and traditional medicine. That’s why the Good Zoo participates in the Central Chinese goral breeding consortium with other accredited zoos to help ensure the survival of this rare species.

Mahjong and Laverne’s Story
At the zoo, we care for two gorals: Mahjong, a young male, and Laverne, a female. Their diet includes high-fiber herbivore pellets and hay, and they both enjoy fresh browse like grape leaves, sweet gum, sugar maple, and yellow poplar. Mahjong loves climbing on stones, playing with papier-mâché toys, and rubbing against brushes, while Laverne prefers hanging out in the barn.

Come visit Mahjong and Laverne to learn more about this rare and fascinating species!