05/22/2025
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Tears of the Highlands:
In the remote highlands of eastern Bhutan, the Zomo-an extraordinary crossbreed between the hardy yak and local cattle—stands as a symbol of survival, tradition, and sacrifice. These gentle mothers, bred every year solely for their milk, live a life deeply interwoven with the economic needs of the herding communities. But behind this cycle lies a painful and often unseen tragedy.
Zomos are never allowed to keep their calves. As soon as they give birth, the newborns are taken away—ripped from the side of mothers who are fiercely protective, grieving, and helpless. This practice, ingrained in custom and survival, ensures that the herders do not have to share milk with the calves. Moreover, these young ones, considered weak and of little value due to their crossbreed nature, are either abandoned, given away, or brutally slaughtered. The cruelty of this act is unspeakable—the slaughtering is slow, painful, and heart-wrenching.
Every spring, a grim ritual unfolds in the mountains. Zomo mothers give birth, only to be met with the heartache of losing their calves. A silent battle takes place—mothers cry and resist as herders sn**ch away the only life they have created. The pain is visible. The calves suffer most. Many are left to die without ever knowing warmth, nourishment, or care. Some compassionate herders and students make desperate attempts to rescue these innocent lives, bringing them down to the valley with a flicker of hope that someone might adopt them. But few do. The stigma around their weak constitution remains strong.
Even when spared, these calves are rarely provided with the nutrients or care they so desperately need. Malnourished, frail, and alone, their immune systems begin to collapse, and with it, their hope of survival.
This spring, in just the first few weeks of our rescue effort, we homed over a hundred calves. Each one with wide eyes, trembling limbs, and a heart that never felt the love of its mother. We are doing everything we can, but we are overwhelmed. These voiceless beings need warmth, food, medicine—and most of all, love.
We plead with you—please, open your hearts. Help us give them a chance. Adopt, donate, or simply share their story. Let the cries of the Zomo mothers and their calves not be in vain. Let compassion be louder than tradition.
