WORLD HERITAGE YAK CONSERVANCY
Protecting threatened Heritage Yak.
WHYC - Why Conservancy?
Our mission is to Preserve, Promote, and Protect the Heritage Yak in North America. To achieve this we have created an association with responsible registration criterion that supports breeders and addresses the threats to yak pedigree, as well as offering a shared plan for saving the exceptional North American Heritage Yak genome.
Interbreeding with cattle is identified as the greatest threat to global populations.
- P. Buzzard, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Preserve
Tibetan Yak are globally endangered because the ancestral herds of Asia and North American Yak are both threatened by crossbreeding with cattle. In Asia this crossbreeding has nearly eradicated the unique genetic traits that make North American yak an exceptionally valuable breed. The North American Yak is an opportunity to preserve this remnant population, which is desirable for its wool, dairy, meat, hardiness, and more.
Preservation is accomplished through responsible registration criteria that require genetic verification of an animal’s purebred pedigree. WHYC manages a national and international registry, NAHYR (North American) and IHYR (International), maintains a membership Herd Book for breeder reference, and has partnered with the Livestock Conservancy to ensure the preservation of the yak breed.
Protect
We not only want to make sure that yak avoid extinction and thrive, we want to ensure that the breeders and families who raise them are equipped to raise them well. We educate and provide resources to our members so they can have the tools and Best Practices for responsible and ethical animal management.
Promote
Yak have so much to offer, and we aim to raise awareness of their value, rarity, and potential in the world today. Anyone can enjoy yak and help the yak conservancy cause. We’re here to help you get involved with resources, events, and a network of helpful members. Reach out so we can support your efforts.
Heritage Yak Breed
The North American Yak breed is endangered. Most of the remaining pedigreed animals are found in and around the Central United States as of 2020, with some smaller herds in Canada and Alaska. The breed has had established breeding populations since 1909, and over the last 100 years the herd has grown to an estimated 10,000 animals powering a thriving meat industry. However, the pedigreed Heritage population numbers in the 12 thousands (>1200). The foundation stock is no longer available, and the breed is globally endangered. This remnant yak population is sequestered and needs to sustain itself in situ to be preserved.
“World Heritage Yak Conservancy (WHYC) is helping breeders and accomplishing major conservation goals. WHYC inspires everyone to care for the future of the threatened North American yak.”
— Nicole Porter PhD, Chairman WHYC
Saving a breed is possible. We’ve done it before.
Livestock Conservancy
Our partnership with the Livestock Conservancy brings years of experience to bear on the greatest challenges of our time - preserving genetic diversity and saving endangered breeds - with a proven record of previous successes.