Yaks are central to Himalayan pastoral cultures and are generally kept under extensive low-intensity systems, but face increasing welfare challenges from climate change, land use change, and veterinary neglect.
Yak welfare in traditional pastoral systems is generally better than most intensive livestock production: animals range freely, express natural behaviour, and are managed at low density. However, climate change is disrupting the pasture-based welfare foundation. Declining snow cover changes water availability; warming temperatures increase heat stress; new pathogens arriving at altitude cause unfamiliar diseases for which herders lack traditional remedies. Veterinary care is often unavailable in remote areas. The growth of luxury yak fibre markets creates demand pressure that could intensify production systems. Supporting traditional pastoral practices and providing veterinary extension services are the most direct welfare interventions in yak systems.