The Utica Zoo has unveiled its newest residents: two female house yaks named Senali and Shehariah.
The animals can be found in the Asian Empire along the boardwalk overlooking the city of Utica, where they have settled into their new home.
At the end of December, the zoo teased the arrival on social media with footage showing the trailer approaching, their new barn and the first tracks left by the yaks in the snow. The posts created excitement among community members who speculated about what species might be arriving.
Zoo officials say winter is the perfect time to visit the new exhibit. Domestic yaks are naturally adapted to harsh and cold environments similar to what Utica experiences in the winter months. Senali and Shehariah have multi-layer coats with minimal skin exposure that trap heat and provide insulation, allowing them to stay comfortable even when covered in snow.
The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Utica Zoo operates seven days a week, 363 days a year.
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