Yak facts

Yak are typically found at elevations between 2,000 and 5,000 m (the lower elevations at the more northerly latitudes).

• Total yak population approximately 14.2 million: 13.3 million, Chinese territories; about 0.6 million in Mongolia; the rest in other countries, (mostly bordering the Himalayas and Russia.)
• Numbers may be increasing in some areas of China.
• Hybridization of yak with cattle very common. (usually the local cattle of the area)
• Wild yak (distinct from domestic) population restricted; likely fewer than 15, 000.
• Wild yak are "protected" but illegal hunting still threatens their survival.
• Wild yak larger in size than the domestic.
• Wild and domestic easily interbreed.
• Interest in using wild yak to improve performance of domestic yak.
• Yak is integral to culture, religion and social life of its herders and communities.