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NBAGR Registered Breed Animal Breed

Ladakhi Yak: New Registered Yak Breed of India Adapted to High-Altitude Ladakh

ByRakesh Kumar 09/12/202507/28/2025Updated On 07/28/202509/12/2025

Physical and Morphological Traits of Ladakhi Yak

Ladakhi Yak Information

Conservation Status	Not at Risk (but dwindling population)
Scientific Classification	Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Poephagus Species: Poephagus grunniens Binomial Name: Poephagus grunniens (Linnaeus, 1766)
Breed Type	Multipurpose (Milk, Meat, Fibre, Draught, Transport, Manure)
Alternate Names	Yak, Ladakhi Yak
Origin	Indigenous to Ladakh, India; domesticated from wild yak (Poephagus mutus)
Distribution	Primary: Leh and Kargil districts Regions: Sham, Changthang, Nubra, Zanskar
Breed Composition	Domesticated from wild yak; adapted to cold-arid, high-altitude habitat
Physical Traits	Color: Majority black; some with white face/forehead or dorsal stripe Size: Medium (larger than Arunachali Yak) Horns: 2; curved forward-backward with pointed tips (Male: 28–35 cm, Female: 18–24 cm) Hair: Long hair covering brisket, belly, ribs, lateral parts and legs Special Traits: Horizontal ears; convex head; trough-shaped udder
Performance Traits	Average Adult Weight: Male – 250 kg, Female – 183 kg Milk Yield per Lactation: 185 kg (range: 120–224 kg) Milk Fat: 7.45% (range: 4.5–9.8%) Fleece Weight: 1.5 kg/year (range: 0.65–1.85 kg) Fibre Type: Coarse (carpet) and down fibre (0.5 kg per clipping at 12 months)
Breeding Traits	Age at First Parturition: ~43 months Parturition Interval: ~16.8 months Litter Size: Typically Single Twinning Rate: 0.25–0.5%
Adaptability	Well adapted to cold-arid climate, high-altitude hypoxic conditions, wind and UV exposure
Management	System: Extensive; transhumant grazing Feeding: Grazing, fodder (alfalfa, maize grain, rice polish, straw, salt, tree leaves) Winter Shelter: Near homestead during snowfall Yak rearers: Brokpas
Population	~14,000 (Leh district, 2019); declining trend nationally
Breed Recognition	Recognized as NBAGR Registered Breed (Second Registered Yak Breed after Arunachali Yak)
NBAGR: Ladakhi Yak Breed Details

Ladakhi YakRegistered Yak Breed of IndiaYak in LadakhHigh Altitude LivestockHimalayan Yak BreedYak Farming in IndiaLadakh Animal HusbandryIndigenous Yak BreedLadakh Yak CharacteristicsTrans-Himalayan Yak

Discover the Ladakhi Yak – India’s newly registered high-altitude yak breed, native to Ladakh. Learn about its habitat, characteristics, uses, and why it’s vital to Himalayan pastoral culture.
THE RAJASTHAN EXPRESS

Rakesh Kumar

I am Rakesh Kumar, hailing from Rajasthan, and I proudly serve as a Private Veterinary Livestock Inspecter . With years of experience in the field, I am passionate about promoting the health and welfare of animals. As the administrator of The Rajasthan Express website, I am committed to delivering accurate and valuable insights into veterinary science and animal care.