deer, wild boars, and Japanese macaques. In Kyushu in particular, increased grazing and browsing competition from sika deer may be slowing growth of serow populations. Conservation areas Cultural significance Labelled a "living national treasure of the forest", the Japanese serow has achieved emblematic status in Japan with national associations. It is seen as a relic species harking back to the formation of the Japanese archipelago as distinct from mainland Asia. In a symbolic gesture in 1973, the Chinese government gifted Japan a giant panda, to which the Japanese government returned two Japanese serow. Municipalities and other regions of Japan have adopted the serow as a local symbol. In Japan, the Japanese serow is most commonly known as or . It has historically been given a variety of names, often based on its appearance, some of which translate as "mountain sheep", "wool deer", "nine tail cow", and "cow demon". Regional names abound, some of which translate as "dancing beast", "foolish beast", or "idiot". Japanese people often characterize the serow as "weird" or "abnormal", and it is seen as a "phantom animal" as it tends to live alone in the depths of distant forests, and appears to observe forest workers from areas high in the mountains. The serow has a reputation in Japan for its speed and agility. Superior athletes are compared to the serow, as it is known not only for its agility, but also its sprinting ability. The Yamaha Motor Company has marketed the XT 225 sport motorcycle as the Yamaha Serow. In Japanese, the word means both "to fail an exam" and "to fall"; as the serow is known for its sure-footedness on mountain cliffs, students can buy charms marked with a serow hoofprint in the hope it will help them pass exams. See also List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments History of the domestic sheep Notes References Citations Works cited Books Journals Web External links Images at Flavon's Wild herb and Alpine plants Japanese serow at Ultimate Ungulate Endemic mammals of Japan Japanese serow Japanese serow Japanese serow National symbols of Japan