You may not have thought about buying a yak as a gift, but for some children it's top of their wish list.
Our yaks in Tibet provide nutritious milk and wool for knitting, as well as helping with the ploughing. I bet Auntie Flo's woolly jumper can't do all that.
When you buy a hairy yak, the actual gift will be given to children in China.
… or buy a share in a yak
For thousands of years, Tibetans have depended on yaks. High up on the Himalayan plateau – where temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees C and oxygen levels are 60% less than at sea level – not many livestock can survive.That’s why yaks really are a lifesaver.
FUEL – yak dung is dried and burned as fuel.
HAIR – the hair from the bottom half of a yak can be more than a foot long. It’s used to make rope, sacks, blankets, clothing and tents.
HIDE – the yak’s thick, tough hide makes excellent leather products – boots, bags, belts, saddles and straps.
MILK – yak milk is very rich in fat. It’s great for butter, yoghurt and cheese (chhurpi). Milk and buttered tea are an everyday staple.
MEAT – yak meat is beef-like and high in protein. It’s dried or frozen to last throughout the year.
WOOL – yaks moult every spring, providing 2 to 3kgs of wool per year for clothes, blankets, mats and fabric.
BONES & SKULLS - even these are used for things like combs and handicrafts.
Find out how yaks are helping
