Black Yak

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The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired humped domestic bovine found in Tibet and throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, as well as in Mongolia. In Tibetan, the word yak refers only to the male of the species; a female is a dri or nak. In most languages which borrowed the word, including English, however, yak is usually used for both sexes.

Wild yaks stand about two meters tall at the shoulder. Domestic yaks are about half that height. Both types have long shaggy hair to insulate them from the cold. Wild yaks can be either brown or black. Domesticated ones can also be white. Both males and females have horns.

Wild yaks can weigh up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). They usually form groups of between 10 and 30 animals. Their habitat is treeless uplands like hills, mountains and plateaux between 3,200 m (10,500 ft) and roughly 5,400 m (18,000 ft). They eat grasses, lichens and other plants. They are insulated by dense, close, matted under-hair as well as their shaggy outer hair.

Yaks secrete a special sticky substance in their sweat which helps keep their under-hair matted and acts as extra insulation. This secretion is used in traditional Nepalese medicine. Many wild yaks are killed for food by the Tibetans; they are now a vulnerable species.

Domesticated yaks are kept primarily for their milk, fiber, and meat; In Mongolia yak milk is most commonly used as an Aphrodisiac because of its high protein content. At certain times of the year it is very distinctive because of its beer-like aroma and pink colouration. Yaks are also used as beasts of burden, transporting goods across mountain passes for local farmers and traders as well as in support of climbing and trekking expeditions, their dung is even burned to produce energy. Yak milk is often processed to a cheese called chhurpi in Tibetan and Nepali languages, and byaslag in Mongolia. Often the pack animals are actually crossbreeds of the yak and Bos taurus (common domestic cattle). These are known in Tibetan as dzo or dzopkyo.

Unlike cattle, yaks grunt rather than moo.

Yak fibers are soft and smooth, in several colors, including shades of gray, brown, black and white.

The length of yak fiber is about 1.2 inches. It is combed or shed from the yak and then dehaired.

The result is a splendid downy fiber that can be spun into yarn for knitting.

More recently, sports involving domesticated yaks, such as yak skiing, [Nat-han ] [ Tede-schi] or yak polo, are being marketed as tourist attractions in Central Asian countries.

In parts of Tibet Yak racing is considered a high source of entertainment at traditional Tibetan festivals.

*** The yak was probably domesticated in Tibet during the first millennium B.C., and domesticated animals now occur throughout the high plateaus and mountains of Central Asia, in association with people.

Yaks found in zoos are usually of the domesticated variety, which is smaller than the wild yak.

There are now more than 12 million domestic yaks in the highlands of Central Asia.

*** The wild yak is supremely well adapted to the harsh highlands with its thick coat, great lung capacity, and ability to clamber nimbly over rough terrain. Even its blood cells are designed for high elevations - they are about half the size of those of cattle and are at least three times more numerous, thus increasing its blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. Its thick coat and low number of sweat glands are also efficient adaptations for conserving heat.

*** In winter the yak survives temperatures as low as - 40 deg C (- 40 deg F).

*** Wild yak herds travel on snow in single file, carefully stepping on footprints left by the lead yak.

The wild yak was once numerous and widespread on the entire Tibetan plateau north of the Himalayas, in central China, India (Ladakh), Bhutan and Nepal. By around 1970 it was thought to occur only in remote areas, mainly in the northern and especially the northeastern parts of Tibet above 4000 m (13,000'), with a few animals still existing in Sikkim. Currently it is found in remote areas of the Tibetan plateau and adjacent highlands, including Gansu Province, China, with a few having been observed in the Chang Chenmo Valley of Ladakh (eastern Kashmir, India).

Wild yak distribution is highly clumped, with most animals in widely scattered herds, concentrated in the areas with little disturbance by humans. For the most part, the wild yak's eastern limit now lies at the transition zone between alpine meadow in the east and alpine steppe in the west. From here its range extends westward through southwestern Qinghai Province, China.

The western limit of the wild yak's distribution lies between the Karakoram and Kunlun Ranges in an area known as the Aksai Chin.

Uncontrolled hunting is the main reason for the wild yak's decline, and it is still the most serious current threat. Its range has been reduced by more than half during this century. In addition, the wild yak has lost most of the best alpine meadow and steppe habitat to pastoralists.

Problems are also caused by hybridization and competition with domestic yaks, as well as by disease transmitted by domestic yaks.

There are less than 2000 yaks in North America.

Yaks require no special fencing. Existing cattle facilities are easily used.

Yaks are disease resistant and cold hardy.

Yaks are quiet.

Female yaks are bred at 18-24 months.

Females calve with ease.

Cows can weigh up to 900 punds, bulls to 1200 pounds.

Yaks generally live 20-25 years.