Gangtok: Owing to the harsh winter weather, around 300 Himalayan yaks have died in Sikkim. According to the reports, the yaks allegedly died due to cold and starvation following the heavy snowfall since December. This winter, North Sikkim recorded almost 10 feet high snow.

The animals were stranded in the cold desert regions of North Sikkim - Munguthang and Tso Lhamu, the grazing ground for the yaks. Attempts were made by the North District Administration to airdrop relief material such as grass, maize plants, flour, salt and oil but they remained unsuccessful.

The officials came to know of the deaths only after the snow melted. The area is under the survey of the disaster management team along with the North District Administration who are trying to secure the carcasses before they become fodder for wild dogs in the area.

North Sikkim District Magistrate Raj Yadav told the news agency PTI, carcasses of around 250 yaks were found in Mukuthang region, 50 yak carcasses were found in Yumthang.

He further stated that the animal husbandry department's medical team are examining the yaks which are still alive and providing feed, fodder for them in Mukuthang.

Based on the official report being prepared by the district administration and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the affected families will get compensations.

An entire herd of yaks had died in 1994-95 after the region received heavy snowfall.

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