World Heritage Yak Conservancy’s

Current Initiatives

Conservation of Endangered Yak

After more than a century of genetic separation from their cousins on the high Tibetan plateau, the purebred yaks of North America represent a unique and important genetic resource. Crossbred animals must be carefully tracked to ensure the integrity of America’s highly endangered pure lineages. Significant numbers of purebred stock must be maintained to safeguard the future of this rare and spectacular breed in North America.

Our WHYC genetic databases and novel research contributes genetic information that’s critical to the conservation of this rare and endangered species. This initiative contributes important genetic data to the WHYC SeedBank. Our Genetic Conservation Partnerships include the Livestock Conservancy, NIH GenBank, American Zoological Association, and University Wisconsin Madison and University of Illinois Champagne Urbana Genotyping Teams.

We are currently listed as Critically Endangered on the Conservation Priority List at the Livestock Conservancy. Ranked as a Critical breed on the Conservation Priority List, fewer than 200 purebred American Yaks are registered in the US annually. The estimated global population is less than 500. We are grateful to the Livestock Conservancy for acknowledging our conservation efforts over the last 5 years.

Adopt a Yak

You Make all WHYC work possible. All proceeds go to furthering the Conservation of this rare, remnant population, preserving this robust genetic diversity for future generations and creating a greener planet.

Sustainable Registration

The Heritage Yak Herdbook is how we track the Heritage yak in North America and abroad. It’s a Mark of Pedigreed Excellence and contributes important genetic data to the WHYC SeedBank.

Breeding Best Practices: Responsible Yak Breeding

It all Begins with Sustainable Breeding for effective Heritage Breed Conservation. Education about Best Practices is critical to preserving this remnant population.