Scientists in China have announced the successful birth of a cloned yak, in what they claim to be a major scientific step in livestock breeding. The calf, delivered by caesarean section on Thursday, was born at a research facility in Damxung County, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region (Xizang) of southwest China. The project brings cloning technology, genome research, and regional development goals together, making this the first time China has successfully cloned a yak for practical agricultural use.
The newborn weighed 73.9 pounds (33.5 kilograms), larger than typical yak calves. Covered in black fur, the animal stood and walked shortly after birth. Researchers confirmed the calf is healthy and responding well. The team used a method called somatic cell cloning, the same scientific process that famously produced Dolly the sheep in 1996.
The technique involves transferring DNA from a body cell into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. This allows the embryo to grow with the exact same genetic makeup as the donor animal. In this case, scientists aimed to preserve and replicate strong genetic traits, including size, milk yield, and disease resistance.
A cloned yak was born via caesarean section on Thursday at a yak breeding base in Damxung county, Southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region, researchers have said.
The cloned calf weighed 33.5 kg at birth, heavier than most newborn yaks, according to the researchers. pic.twitter.com/w4TuaH66d7
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) July 11, 2025
Cloning effort combines genetic science and regional needs
The research was led by scientists at Zhejiang University in eastern China, with support from the Damxung County government and the Institute of Plateau Biology in Xizang.
The project launched in 2023, with the intent to create a modern yak breeding system suited to Tibet’s harsh, high-altitude environment. Researchers also used whole-genome selection to identify yaks with the most beneficial traits, improving the chances of breeding healthier and more productive animals.
Yaks are central to life on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, where they’ve been domesticated for thousands of years.
They provide essential resources like meat, milk, dung for fuel, and labor for transporting goods across rugged terrain. Their ability to survive in thin air and freezing temperatures makes them irreplaceable for many communities.
Yaks remain key to survival and sustainability in Tibet
The yak’s role goes beyond the economy. Their sustainable grazing helps maintain the balance of fragile grassland ecosystems in the region.
With climate and economic pressures increasing, experts say that improving yak breeds through cloning and genetic selection could help ensure long-term food security and environmental stability.
The cloning of this yak, using techniques that echo those behind Dolly the sheep, reflects a blend of modern science and ancient reliance. For now, researchers are monitoring the calf closely, hoping it signals the start of a new era in highland livestock breeding.
