Endangered wild yak (Bos grunniens) in the Tibetan plateau and adjacent regions: Population size,distribution, conservation perspectives and its relation to the domestic subspecies |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China;2. College of Life and Environment Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China;3. Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC H4B2H8, Canada;1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, People''s Republic of China;2. Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA;3. University College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100 Pakistan;4. Longri Original Breeding Farm of Sichuan Province, People''s Republic of China;5. Laboratory of Detection and Monitoring of Highland Animal Disease, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry College, Linzhi, 860000 Tibet, People''s Republic of China;1. Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, IPAR, Rwanda;2. University of Rwanda, Rwanda;3. School of Social Science, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom;1. U.S. Geological Survey, 3321 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314, USA;2. University of Florida, 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314, USA;3. U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, 3205 College Ave., Davie, FL 33314, USA;1. Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China;2. Faculty of Veterinary Science, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan;1. College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China;2. College of Veterinary Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China;1. State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, School of Life Sciences, International Centre for Tibetan Ecosystem Management, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;2. Beef Cattle Section, ARO, Newe Yaar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel;3. State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, International Centre for Tibetan Ecosystem Management, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;4. Formerly of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke, Devon EX20 2SB, UK |
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| Abstract: | The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired bovid, endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions. The domesticated subspecies of yak (B. grunniens grunniens) are abundant and closely associated with the livelihoods of herders, while the wild subspecies of yak (B. grunniens mutus) are endangered due primarily to anthropogenic effects. The endangered status of wild yaks calls for consideration, if we are to secure its long term survival, hence this study. Here we hope to provide baseline information necessary for further research and protection of the wild yak resources. We use published data to discuss their evolution, their characteristics as well as their distribution in the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions. We were able to come up with a world wild yak distribution map, which may be useful for establishing protected areas, as well as updating the species IUCN Red List Status. From the data available, we were also able to provide an estimate of the wild yak population in China (∼22,000 wild yaks living in China), corresponding to 90% of the total world population. We further discuss the major threats to yaks, and we give some suggestions for future and sustainable conservation. |
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| Keywords: | Wild yak status Tibetan plateau Population size Distribution Conservation perspectives |
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