Productivity, Adaptability, and Reproduction of Yaks Under Adverse Climate Change Scenario

Veterinary / Animal Sciences | Review article | https://doi.org/10.47262/SL/13.2.132025130

Hammad Qaiser 1, Tanveer Hussain 1*, Muhammad Ali Abdullah Shah 2, Samina Nawaz 1, Aamir Ibrahim 3, Muhammad Wasique Shahid 1, Ghulam Raza 4, Takbir Ali 5

1 Animal Genomics and Biodiversity Research group, Department of Biological Sciences, Virtual University of Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

2 Department of Parasitology and Microbiology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

3 Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Federal Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

4 Department of Zoology, University of Baltistan, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

5 Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Yak (Bos grunniens) is a very important animal for the people who make their living through animal herding in the hilly areas since it is a source of milk, meat, fiber, and draught power. But climate change poses a major risk to yaks due to changes to their immediate environment, heat, poor quality feed, and diseases that might arise from global warming. This review is primarily based on the performance and fecundity of yaks under different climate change stresses and addresses different challenges that predispose the yaks, including high temperatures, poor grazing land, incidence of diseases, among others, and how these impact performance and fertility. Further, the genetic predisposition to coping with such harsh environments of yaks, especially in terms of thermos regulation genes, disease resistance and metabolic efficiency are explained along with ways on how resilience of yaks may be improved, which includes traditional and modern management practices like selection, range management, improved animal health and management and water resources management. Moreover, potential climate change adaptation measures such as the restoration of pastures and improved construction of shelters hardy to climate change can be taken by the community. Its implementation seeks the survival of yaks as well as to enhance the welfare of local communities that depend on yaks. Combining more traditional views of managing natural resources with recent scientific developments, and developing policies that are easy to adjust, yaks can be protected despite continuing issues of climate change.