Chief Yak

### Likes

Dancing, protecting royalties, justice, hanging out with his fellow officers, Hansel's heroism, Squeaky, children, beer, working out

### Dislikes

Threats to the royal family, assassinations, pranks, disorderly conduct, worldwide chaos

### Powers and abilities

Martial art skills

**Chief Yak** is a major character in the feature film, *Animal Planet.* He's the chief of Basel's Police Department and the bodyguard of the royal family. When the kingdom is threatened by the evil Red Bird, Yak assists the Enchanted Pup with battling him and restoring peace to the garden.

## Background

Yak lived in the capital of Basel's Garden as a resident cape buffalo. He was close friends with Stripes and Theodore, the firstborn prince. Yak had dreams of becoming a police officer which led him to join the police academy in early twenties along with Stripes. Yak graduated valedictorian and was assigned to work in Basel's 5th precinct along with Stripes who graduated after him. Yak continued to excel in his work as a police officer as his skills led him to apprehend suspects in an armed robbery and rescue seven hostages from a violent kidnapper. His acts of heroism allowed to go from rookie police officer to police chief. As for Theodore, he aged into an adult and became the mayor of the garden instead of king. Theodore's first act as mayor was to hire Yak as his new bodyguard, a job offer that Yak happily accepted.

Yak started to protect the royal family of Basel's Garden. One of his assignments was keeping the city safe from Red Bird, a psychotic monarch bent on revenge against the mammal population for ruining his royal lifestyle.

### Development

Chief Yak is loosely based off Chief Bogo from Disney's 2016 film, *Zootopia.* Bogo's character and his voice acting by Idris Elba inspired the storywriter to create a character like him for his feature film. The only difference that Yak and Bogo have is that Yak starts off as a hero in the original film while Bogo is introduced as the film's anti-hero. However, in the cartoon series, Yak will be introduced to an anti-hero persona.

### Personality

Chief Yak is the tough and powerful police chief of Animal Town. He takes his job with honor, integrity and dignity. Judging from his muscular appearance, Yak isn't afraid to stand up and he also shows his workers, citizens and even his enemies, that he won't be pushed around or pushed away. By appearing intimidating to everyone, Yak can quickly lose his temper and becomes violent and ferocious when fighting a criminal or threatening somebody who disrespects the mayor or the Animal King. Yak's temper and distrust towards strangers can be a sign of his anti-hero persona.

Chief Yak knows when to let loose and have fun. Although, he does have an optimistic and confident side to his personality. He was capable of motivating Hugo to keep practicing when he was struggling with passing his classes at the army camp. Yak motivates all of his officers to protect Animal Town, no matter what size or species they are. Yak does maintain a strong and close brotherly relationship with Stripes.

In the cartoon series, Yak's personality begins to take a shift. For example, spending time with Squeaky soothed his intimidating personality for a kinder and gentle outlook. In the process, he developed a father-and-son relationship with the young mouse.

### Physical appearance

Chief Yak is a tall and muscular cape buffalo wearing an blue police uniform along with a belt filled with all of his paraphernalia.

### Powers and abilities

* **Buffalo Physiology:** Chief Yak is an anthropomorphic cape buffalo.
* **Physical strength:** Yak strong different feats of strength throughout the film and in the cartoon series.
* **Martial Arts:** Yak became a master martial artist after he graduated from the police academy.
* **Eternal youth:** Chief Yak gained eternal youth after taking the immortality pill.

## Appearances

### Animal Planet

Chief Yak is introduced when he and Officer Stripes witness Red Bird murdering the unnamed Animal King of Animal Town. Quickly, they head over to City Hall to report the murder to Mayor Robinson. Upon learning that, Mayor Robinson orders Chief Yak to sign all of his officers up for the training camp. Yak said that he and Stripes will sign up for the training camp as well. Yak was given the paperwork and reported back to the ATPD to inform his officers about the situation.

In the film, Chief Yak is seen by Mayor Robinson's side during the town meeting. When Hugo and the gang agreed to help the mammals defeat Red Bird, Yak was seen clapping for the gang along with Stripes and Theodore. The next morning, Yak was one of the soldiers were served as assistants to the tough-as-nails general, Coby. During the training, Hugo and the other mammals were struggling with acing their classes and unlike Coby who was merely disappointed, Yak showed sympathy for the soldiers. Later in the film, Yak triumphantly watched as Matthew and the other mammals aced their classes and impressed Coby.

Later that night, Yak helped the General located Red Bird who was in the Sahara Desert. After that he, Stripes and Theodore headed over to their tents for bedtime. However, they stopped by to give Hugo, a few words of encouragement. Yak lifted the young hero's spirits by telling him that he'll do perfectly fine at the battle tomorrow. The next morning, the gang headed over to the Sahara Desert for the battle. "Red Bird" and his army appeared and attacked the army. When the army was outnumbered, Hugo set off a cataclysmic explosion that destroyed "Red Bird" and his army.

Following the death of "Red Bird," the soldiers returned home to Animal Town and were reunited with their families. In order to celebrate their victory, Mayor Robinson was hosting a party for Hugo. However, that never happened when Hugo and the gang left Animal Town and when Red Bird revealed to be alive. He abducted all of the mammals and sentenced them all to death. Luckily, with hearing the news from Squeaky, Hugo and the gang returned to Animal Town to face their foe.

While Charles and the gang were busy with freeing the mammals, Hugo fought Red Bird and defeated him for real. As the chicks were about to make an escape, Yak caught them and as punishment for their mischief, he banished them from Animal Town forever. For his heroic actions, Hugo was made the new Animal King of Animal Town. Yak happily cheered for Hugo, knowing that he work as his bodyguard. One day later, the gang went over to Rainforest Town for a concert. Yak is seen dancing with Stripes and Coby.

### The Black Lion

Yak appears in the cartoon series as a major/supporting character.