Animals of Tibet

Yaks

Wealth used to be measured by number of yaks one owns. I must qualify here 'wealth' is a different concept here as many Tibetans donate ALL their wealth to Buddhism at least once in their lives. Any yak wearing a buddhist banner around its neck is deemed to have been released from 'slavery', free to roam any pasture, not to be hurt or recaptured. They provide milk and meat to Tibetans for eons, even to Tibetan Buddhist monks, probably the only Buddhist sect that is not totally vegetarian, possibly due to difficulties in cultivating vegetables on the highlands from way back. Their big sizes camouflage their scant milk production, about 1/4 of cows on lowlands. Yak dung is mixed with straw to form a round biscuit. They are then pasted onto walls or stones under the sun. Once dried, the bisuits will drop and they are collected, stacked for use as fuel to cook and heat during winter. I was assured these dried biscuits are odourless.

Sheep

The meat is pricey but the wool is even more valuable. Govt is trying to limit headcounts according to landsize, but to no avail, as shephards herd the sheep from pastures to pastures in the wide expense. The sheep destroy pastures by grazing even grass roots, and they are a major environmental concern.

Rabbit

A fearless rabbit roaming inside Norbulinkha, Dalai's Summer Palace. Maybe a 'Reincarnation'.

Tibetan Mastiff

Renowned for its fighting abilities, or more correctly 'biting abilities'. Locals insist a Mastiff can take on a lion, or 4 wolves on its own. I was told of stories of Mastiff mauling servants at home. I kept my distance.

Tibetan Horses

Photo of yours truly here riding a Tibetan horse up a hill slope to 'Yongbulakhang' Temple is purposely not shown here, in case some of you confuse the horse with the rider. The horses are pony sizes.