The Himalayan Yak and New Smart Tracking Technology

#GS-3 #Environment #Biodiversity #Wildlife #GS-2 #Current Events #National #Himalayan Yak #IoT Smart Collar

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Scientists from ICAR's National Research Centre on Yak (NRC-Y) and Assam Don Bosco University have developed a new technology.
They created an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart collar system for high-altitude Himalayan yaks.

The Domestic Yak, scientifically named Bos grunniens, is known as the Ship of the Himalayas.
This heavily built, long-haired animal is a vital resource for mountain communities.
Yaks provide essential resources like milk, meat, fiber, and fuel.
They also help transport heavy loads in tough mountain terrains.
These animals live in cold, high-altitude alpine zones above 8,000 feet and up to 18,000 feet across the trans-Himalayan region.
India has around 58,000 yaks according to the 20th Livestock Census.
Almost half of this population lives in Ladakh.
The remaining yak population is spread across the high-altitude areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The IUCN Red List classifies the wild yak as Vulnerable (VU).

Yaks have a thick outer coat and a dense woolly undercoat.
This dual-layer system helps them survive extreme cold down to -40°C.
Their coats secrete natural oils that repel water, keeping their skin dry during heavy snow, rain, and storms.
Their broad, split hooves give them a strong grip on rocky, icy, and snowy paths.
Yaks have larger chests, hearts, and lungs compared to other cattle, helping them breathe easily in low-oxygen areas.
Their blood has a high concentration of large red blood cells and specialized haemoglobin, allowing their bodies to carry oxygen efficiently.
Yaks cannot tolerate warm weather and experience severe heat stress when temperatures rise above 15°C.

Yaks live in groups led by experienced female yaks.
Adult male yaks usually live alone or form small groups.
Yaks are generally quiet animals.
They protect their calves from predators like snow leopards by forming a defensive circle.

Yaks are crucial for the survival of Himalayan communities.
They provide food and income in areas where normal farming is impossible.
Their strength and ability to walk on difficult paths make them perfect for carrying goods across high mountain passes.