I encountered a herd of wild yaks in the northern Mongolian forests and regarding them as nothing more than cattle, I passed bye within a few meters. A few days later I encountered a herd of 12 to 15 animals leaving the frigid waters of lake Khovsgol near the Russian / Siberian border and walked right through the herd without incident.
A few minutes later the very large, herd leader charged two Mongolian men on horseback, with a loud & terrifying bellow. The riders took evasive action and only passed by when the herd was well clear of the path.
After the incident, a number of Mongolians told me that wild Yaks could be very dangerous and would charge a horse or human with disastrous, even fatal consequences.
Was I lucky because I showed no fear or hesitation or are Yaks normally fairly placid?
A few minutes later the very large, herd leader charged two Mongolian men on horseback, with a loud & terrifying bellow. The riders took evasive action and only passed by when the herd was well clear of the path.
After the incident, a number of Mongolians told me that wild Yaks could be very dangerous and would charge a horse or human with disastrous, even fatal consequences.
Was I lucky because I showed no fear or hesitation or are Yaks normally fairly placid?