Great for 
  someone 
  hairy

You may not have thought about buying a yak for Christmas, 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.

… 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.