Sanjiang
三江牛
(most common name)

The Sanjiang originated in Aba Autonomous Prefecture, in northwestern Sichuan province where cattle have been domesticated for over 1,000 years. This area is ethnically slightly over half Tibetan.

Almost all Sanjiang can be found in Wenchuan county, where they graze in the mountains during the summer. Lowland farmers purchase oxen from the mountain farmers, mostly in exchange for rice.

The Sanjiang has both taurine and zebu mtDNA, but only zebu Y chromosomes.

In Sichuan province, the Sanjiang is listed as a protected breed.

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-20

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