Tibetan yak — The Alaska Zoo

The mountain yak, a hardy yet shy animal, thrives in the extreme high-altitude pastures of the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. Adapted to survive in harsh, oxygen-thin environments above 3,000 meters, these robust bovines graze on tough alpine grasses and lichens where few other animals can endure. Their thick fur, strong lungs, and ability to conserve energy make them indispensable to highland ecosystems and local pastoral communities. Yaks serve as vital companions to mountain dwellers, provid