Pakistan has rare species of many wild animals like
Snow Leopards, Asiatic black bear, grey wolf, Sindh Krait, Indus River Dolphin
and a national animal Alpine Markhor.
A heightened and strapping Alpine Markhor is a
native animal of Karakoram and Himalayas and is found in the Northern areas of
Pakistan. Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan and locally known as the
screw-horned goat. It is listed on IUCN
RED LIST as an endangered animal in 2015. Markhor’s global population is round
about 2500 and about 1500 Markhors are found in Pakistan. The average age of markhor is just 10 to 12 years.
This beautiful animal is sturdy in climbing the
mountains and is popular for eating the snakes. It is known that Markhor spits
out foamy like substance during chewing the snake. The foam dries out and
locals collect the foam and use it in medicines and to kill the poison of
snakes.
MARKHOR AND GILGIT-BALTISTAN
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan had put collective
and stern efforts to save the extinction of Markhor under SOS- Save our species
program as a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The local folks raised the number of Markhor
from 100 to 1500 in the last decade by providing the animal with appropriate
breeding facilities. But still, this rare goat is in fatal danger because of illegal hunting.
To reduce markhor illegal hunting and to make it profitable, the government of Pakistan introduced "Trophy hunting".
A hunting trophy licence to hunt markhor is issued to the highest bidder after proper auction in wildlife department. The bidder is then given a chance to kill only one markhor. Annually four hunting trophy licenses are issued and 80% of the money is distributed among locals. The rest 20% is deposited to wildlife department.
To reduce markhor illegal hunting and to make it profitable, the government of Pakistan introduced "Trophy hunting".
A HUNTING TROPHY PRICE OF MARKHOR HUNTING PAKISTAN
A hunting trophy licence to hunt markhor is issued to the highest bidder after proper auction in wildlife department. The bidder is then given a chance to kill only one markhor. Annually four hunting trophy licenses are issued and 80% of the money is distributed among locals. The rest 20% is deposited to wildlife department.
TROPHY MONEY TO HUNT MARKHOR IN NOVEMBER 2019
According to a news channel Trophy money of above $300, 000 is set for hunting of Markhor in Gilgit Baltistan, this winter. Earlier in Feb 2019, a US man paid $ 110,000 to hunt markhor in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. A hunter from New Zealand also got chance to hunt but failed to kill any markhor in three attempts.Few significant dangers to Markhor are:
ILLEGAL HUNTING
The government of Pakistan has banned the hunting of
Markhor. Still, hunters chase the animal for its meat, skin or to satisfy their dominion on planet earth. We see heads of hunted markhors displayed in drawing rooms as trophy.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
The other danger to Markhor is natural habitat
destruction which is a real danger for Markhor. As the population is
increasing, so the meadows are turning into cemented constructions. Poor
animals find it difficult to graze free and abundant. Most of Markhor climb
higher to feed but die of insufficient grass there.
OUTBREAK OF DISEASE
Markhor and other species of sheep and goats got
infected with an outbreak of disease and die in number. The government needs to
vaccine the animals regular to let them safe from any sudden disease.
COMPETITION WITH DOMESTIC SHEEP AND GOAT
Goats and sheep are domestic livestock and a big competitor
of Markhor to capture the space and feed.
With an increased number of sheep and goats, Markhor
not only bears chances of disease, but they’ve to compete with herds of
livestock for enough food. The government should fix a few grazing points to save
the rare species of Markhor.