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Named after
"The word 'yak' comes from the word Yag or Gyag, this is what the yak bulls are called in Tibet. A cow of the same species is called a Dri or Nak."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
Mountain areas in central Asia
Food:
Grasses, mosses, herbs and flowers
Lifespan:
Grows to 25 years old
Weight:
♀ 225 to 300 kilograms ♂ 400 to 600 kilograms
Number of young:
1 to 2 young
Gestation period:
9 months
To be seen:
Along the bus safari
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
EEP:
No
About the yak
The yak (Bos gruniens) lives in the wild high in the mountains in Asia. Yaks have thick long hairs all over their bodies, so they don't get cold easily on such high plains.
Habitat and threats
The yak lives in the high mountain regions of Central Asia, from the Himalayas to Tibet. Wild yaks originally come from the rugged mountains of Tibet, but since they have been domesticated, they also live in other countries such as China, Nepal, Mongolia and parts of Russia. They feel at home at high altitudes, often above 4,000 meters, where the air is thin and temperatures can drop as low as -40 degrees.
Although domesticated yaks are common, wild yaks have become rare. Their numbers have been greatly reduced by hunting and as their habitat is shrinking due to human activities, such as grazing by cattle and expansion of settlements. Therefore, the wild yak is considered a vulnerable species.
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Species conservation in Beekse Bergen
The status of the yak is vulnerable. Unfortunately, many of the species you see at Beekse Bergen are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that more than 10,000 animal species in the world are in danger of extinction? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how?