The World Heritage Yak Conservancy (WHYC)
For Immediate Release.
The United States based World Heritage Yak Conservancy (WHYC) is newly formed for the benefit of yak, yak owners, and yak enthusiasts, and is headquartered in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. Nicole Geijer Porter, Chairman and North American Representative for the Studbook, announces the formation of the new association dedicated to the conservation of the Heritage Yak in North America. The organization’s goals are the conservation of the Heritage Yak as a heritage breed originating in the Himalayas of Tibet, with important breeding populations in Canada as of the late 1880s and early 1900s.
The stated goals of the new organization are to: Preserve. Promote. Protect.
The primary goal of WHYC is to Preserve the genetic and phenotypic integrity of the endangered Heritage Yak population in North America which has to be preserved in situ to survive.
To Preserve the historic pedigree of the purebred Heritage Yak, they created the North American Heritage Yak Registry (NAHYR) and the International Heritage Yak Registry (IHYR).
They also aim to celebrate and promote the Heritage Yak.
WHYC Promotes among its members and to the public, a better understanding of yak husbandry with emphasis on Intentional Breeding Practices.
They Protect their status as a Heritage breed on the Conservation Priority List (CPL), by adhering to the regulations of the North American Heritage Yak Registry (NAHYR) Stud Book as managed by its regulating authority at WHYC.
They also Protect the Heritage Yak through good animal husbandry among WHYC members, friends and other organizations.
Historic Foundation Heritage Yak, Dr Lock, of Living Diamonds Ranch
Lawerence Richards of Living Diamonds Ranch, and Mark Priest of A Yak Or 2 | Great Lakes Ranch, will serve as Vice Chair, and Board of Director's Member respectively. Both have served until recently on the Board of Directors for the International Yak Association, a national association primarily addressing the needs of meat yak breeders in the United States. “The time was right for a conservation minded, umbrella organization such as this,” stated Richards. “What was lacking prior to now was an organization that focused on the preservation of yak and the serious breeder’s needs. Since 1988, our team has participated in every major yak conservation victory in North America - now we have a consolidated Conservancy at WHYC.”
Priest and Richards are active sponsors and exhibitors in the WHYC Fall Yak Fest and are committed to the education of the American Heritage Yak community to the advantages and benefits of this breed, which has become of National significance.
“The establishment of WHYC paves the way to finally recognize and pay tribute to the Heritage Yak’s noble and historic pedigree, and our deep heritage in the United States,” said Priest. He says “Heritage Yak are a profitable, sustainable, green lifestyle alternative. For example, we are active participants in a number of Conservation Partnerships, such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, NIH data sharing, and the Livestock Conservancy (TLC).”
The Livestock Conservancy is the formal representative of the Heritage Breeds in the United States. They define individual breeds and say “Heritage breeds, [are] pre-industrial farm animals that are enjoying renewed attention for their versatility, adaptability, and unique genetic traits. Heritage breeds of livestock take us back to our agricultural roots - and show the way to a more sustainable future." WHYC Marketing Committee Chair Daniel Salvato says “Heritage Yak are pre-industrial, like Heirloom tomatoes. They aren’t inventions of corporate industry, like so many BigAg breeds. However, to thrive, these living heirlooms need to be cared for and bred responsibly over time. Let’s give this intelligent and beautiful creature the space and resources they need to save themselves.”
The Executive Director of WHYC is Heritage Yak breeder Nicole Geijer Porter. “We want to be a resource to those who own or are considering owning yak, to provide a means of education from the selection process, through pedigree choice of foundation stock, to the upper levels of responsible husbandry and breeder performance,” commented Porter. “This is the most dedicated group of yak breeders in the country and there is a real momentum right now in our direction for conservation and responsible breeding.” She is joined by a distinguished Board of Directors of World Heritage Yak Conservancy, as well as an international Honorary Board that includes members of the International Heritage Yak Conservancy (IHYC), top North American Heritage Yak Breeders, and well-known names in conservation circles such as Brent Huffman, member of the AZA ungulate Taxon Advisory Groups and Lead zoo keeper at Toronto Zoo, and Norman Munson, Agriculture program supervisor at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. For the coming year, WHYC plans to implement a number of programs and activities, including the inauguration of the Yak Tracks Newsletter, sponsorship and participation in a number of breed shows beginning with Yak Fest in Mancelona, Michigan in October, a cultural exchange awards program, and an interactive website. Membership and donations to the new organization are available online at www.heritageyak.com. A kick-off reception for the new organization will be held the weekend of the 2nd of October, during Yak Fest 2021. Keep tuned to heritageyak.com for more information about upcoming WHYC events and news of the Heritage Yak in North America.
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About the World Heritage Yak Conservancy and Heritage Yak ®
Founded in 2020, the WHYC (The World Heritage Yak Conservancy) is the premiere yak conservation organization to be established in North America, and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for yak conservation and preservation of the historic Heritage Yak ® pedigree. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the WHYC is committed to preventing genetic drift, hybridization with cattle, inbreeding, and unintentional breeding practices in yak throughout the United States, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. For more information, visit www.heritageyak.com or call 855-920-4925.
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