World Map of Yaks

The new world map of yaks shows around 70 pastoralist groups who keep yaks and nearly 50 organizations that are involved in yak research, development and support. The map also shows the approximate range of the domesticated yak (Bos grunniens) as well as the distribution of wild yaks (Bos mutus).  Yaks are central to pastoral livelihoods in the cold, high mountains and plateaus of Central Asia, where few other livestock can thrive. Special thanks to Professor Lóng Ruìjūn of Lanzhou University, China, for the initial idea for this map and for providing much of the information on which it is based, and to Yang Xin of Lanzhou University for excellent collaboration.