February 24, 2016

Since the implementation of the gid disease reduction program by the Livestock Officer and yak herders of Soe Yutoed in 2013, the incidence of yak calf mortality in the area has dropped from 34 percent to 8 percent in three years. This was mainly brought about through a series of awareness campaigns, training of herders in better animal health practices, and routine field visits by the Livestock Officer. With reduced yak mortality due to disease, herders can better tolerate some loss of yaks to natural predators such as snow leopards and wild dogs. This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Jigme Dorji National Park and the Department of Livestock Services, with support from the Bhutan Foundation and Snow Leopard Conservancy.