Physical Characterization of Bhutanese Yak

AUTHOR: Tashi Dorji and Gyem Tshering

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to compare biometrical measurements, describe coat colour and horning pattern of yak population from three regions of Bhutan (west, central and east). The measurements including heart girth, body length, wither height and estimated body weights are larger for yak from western Bhutan. The eastern Bhutan yaks are the smallest. Black coat colour yak was most frequent with 60 to 73% occurrence. The differences in body dimension, coat colour, horning pattern and woolliness suggest that eastern Bhutan yaks are distinct to those from other two populations. These results are important for designing yak breeding and conservation programmes.

KEY WORDS:

yak, phenotype, colour, body size, Bhutan.

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