Minister wants survey of Markhors before increasing trophy hunting

[ghazi52]

Minister wants survey of Markhors before increasing trophy hunting

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is likely to increase the practice of trophy hunting of Markhors.

At a recent meeting of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) management authority, Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid directed representatives and conservators of the provincial forest and wildlife departments to conduct fresh and independent surveys before increasing the number of trophy Markhors hunted in the country.

“Only then can Pakistan take its plea in the next conference of parties of the international treaty to protect wildlife to increase the quota for trophy hunting of Markhors,” Mr Hamid told the officials.

Criticised by many, trophy hunting of Markhors is a legal business in Pakistan. Every year Pakistan issues 12 permits, which are marketed and auctioned by provincial governments for a base price of $40,000. Hunters from around the world have, in the recent past, paid as much as $100,000, to be in a picture, crouching over the dead mountain goat and for the biggest horns to mount on the wall of a study.

Found in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), the number of Markhor found in the wild is not known. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also home to a very small population of the animal. Hunting Markhor in AJK, is however, prohibited.

Nonetheless, representatives of the provincial forest departments informed the meeting on CITES Management Authority that the population of Markhor had been increasing and Pakistan should plea in the next CITIES conference of parties to increase the quota of Markhor for Pakistan.

The meeting observed that the amount earned through the trophy hunting was spent on the welfare of communities and in better protecting the local wildlife.

It was decided that surveys should be conducted with the help of the provincial wildlife departments, WWF, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Higher Education Commission approved universities having zoology and wildlife departments.

It was also discussed that a province would communicate to the wildlife department at the federal level if its annual quota for trophy hunting was unutilised. The underutilised quota would be transferred to other provinces on a first come serve basis.

Chief Wildlife Conservator, Ministry of Climate Change, Umeed Khalid, told Dawn that Pakistan could not, on its own, increase the number of quota to hunt Markhors.

“Pakistan will have to convince the conference of parties on international treaty to protect wildlife for its approval to increase quota to trophy hunt Markhors.”

The official explained that permits were issued to hunt only very old/mature male Markhors. The older the animal the bigger are the horns.

According to the WWF, several factors have resulted in the population decline such as hunting for meat and sport (trophies), besides destruction to its habitat, encroachment, fencing and transferable diseases from livestock.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2016

 

[ghazi52]

Kashmir Markhor Hunting in Pakistan

Kashmir Markhor hunting was once reserved for Kings.
Unattainable to the International trophy hunter until recently, Kashmir Markhor hunting was reserved solely for distinguished guests of Kings.

Legal hunting season for Markhor runs from November through mid-April. The rut occurs in December and often provides a unique advantage for the hunter.

January, February and even early March have disadvantages with the weather as it can turn bad any moment. However, April is also considered a good time to hunt as the Markhor come down to forage for the green grass that appears when the snow melts.

Being a comparatively low altitude animal, Markhor thrive at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters in this area of Pakistan. As with any other mountain hunt, chasing Kashmir Markhor also requires a great deal of physical activity.

Although it is far easier than hunting the Astor Markhor, any would-be-hunters are advised to get into good physical condition prior to the hunt.





Acknowledged as the most sought after Markhor, the Kashmir Markhor’s difference lies in the twisting configuration of its horns.

What makes Kashmir Markhor hunting so unique is the rarity of the animal. Four permits for each of the three subspecies of Markhor are granted each year by the Pakistani government, a total of only 12 Markhor licenses annually.

Travel to Pakistan is fairly easy.

Known also as Pir Punjal, the Kashmir Markhor is named after the territory it inhabits. Kashmir Markhor live in the Northwest Territories of Pakistan, more specifically, Chitral Valley.

These animals can be found from about 40 miles north of Chitral town, southwards into Dir and westwards into Swat Kohistan. Around Chitral, Kashmir Markhor can be hunted in 3 separate conservation areas with the help of the local communities.

Depending on the hunting area, accommodations may vary.
Some of the areas offer good hotel accommodations. On the other hand local guest houses in villages may be used as a means of lodging depending on the locality.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan's national animal makes a come-back

The SOS-Save our Species-supported project implemented by IUCN Member the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, is proud to report a remarkable rebound in the markhor population. These results are largely due to conservation efforts focused on strengthening local institutions.

Photo:

• Community surveys led by WCS in the Kargah region in Northern Pakistan indicate a markhor population of roughly 300 individuals (up from 40-50 in 1991). These surveys suggest that the population in all of Gilgit-Baltistan may now be as high as 1,500 animals. This is a significant improvement from the last government estimate in 1999 which indicated the population as being below 1,000.

The markhor (Capra falconeri), Pakistan’s national animal, is one of the largest and most magnificent members of the goat family. In 2008 the global population was estimated at 2,500 animals extending over Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India. The main threats to markhor in the region are illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and competition from domestic goats and sheep.

SOS – Save Our Species has been supporting a project implemented by WCS which consists of creating community conservation committees and training wildlife rangers in the region. There are now 53 established community conservation committees in the region. Each of these committees has a representative working with government officials in the Mountain Conservation and Development Programme to help co-manage the region’s wildlife and forests. WCS has recently developed a new management structure called “markhor conservancies” that use markhor herd home ranges to link different village committees together for coordinated monitoring and protection. This ensures that markhor are safeguarded as they travel across steep-sided mountains into different areas.

 

[krash]

That's an Ibex, not a Markhor. Common misconception.

 

[Imran Khan]

trophy hunting is a shameful act

 

[bananarepublic]

Kashmir Markhor Hunting in Pakistan

Kashmir Markhor hunting was once reserved for Kings.
Unattainable to the International trophy hunter until recently, Kashmir Markhor hunting was reserved solely for distinguished guests of Kings.

Legal hunting season for Markhor runs from November through mid-April. The rut occurs in December and often provides a unique advantage for the hunter.

January, February and even early March have disadvantages with the weather as it can turn bad any moment. However, April is also considered a good time to hunt as the Markhor come down to forage for the green grass that appears when the snow melts.

Being a comparatively low altitude animal, Markhor thrive at altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters in this area of Pakistan. As with any other mountain hunt, chasing Kashmir Markhor also requires a great deal of physical activity.

Although it is far easier than hunting the Astor Markhor, any would-be-hunters are advised to get into good physical condition prior to the hunt.





Acknowledged as the most sought after Markhor, the Kashmir Markhor’s difference lies in the twisting configuration of its horns.

What makes Kashmir Markhor hunting so unique is the rarity of the animal. Four permits for each of the three subspecies of Markhor are granted each year by the Pakistani government, a total of only 12 Markhor licenses annually.

Travel to Pakistan is fairly easy.

Known also as Pir Punjal, the Kashmir Markhor is named after the territory it inhabits. Kashmir Markhor live in the Northwest Territories of Pakistan, more specifically, Chitral Valley.

These animals can be found from about 40 miles north of Chitral town, southwards into Dir and westwards into Swat Kohistan. Around Chitral, Kashmir Markhor can be hunted in 3 separate conservation areas with the help of the local communities.

Depending on the hunting area, accommodations may vary.
Some of the areas offer good hotel accommodations. On the other hand local guest houses in villages may be used as a means of lodging depending on the locality.

Wow kasmir markhoor specifically in chitral Wow who named them kashmir markhoor when they are mostly found in chitral

 

[maximuswarrior]

A nation which presents its majestic animals as trophies for hunters needs to bow its head in utter shame. I don't care how poor or wealthy you are. Such majestic animals cannot be allowed to be hunted for leisure. This is a collective shame on us all.

Look at these nasty foreigners being allowed to practice their sick and depraved desires. Who can blame them when we allow them.

 

[ghazi52]

The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is the largest of the goat family and is found in the rugged mountains of central Asia, from Southern Russia to the sparse woodland of the West Himalayas. The markhor is largely found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan especially in Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza regions.

Markhors live at altitudes of 500 to 3,500 metres (1,600 to 11,000 feet) depending on season, summer is spent at higher altitudes and winter at lower altitudes.
The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.

MARKHOR DESCRIPTION

Markhors measure 132 – 186 centimetres in length, stand 65 – 115 centimetres (26 – 45 inches) high at the shoulder and weigh around 40 – 110 kilograms (88 – 240 pounds). They have a tail length of 8 – 20 centimetres (3.2 – 8 inches).

Male and female markhors are similar in appearance with a tan coloured coat with white underparts and a black and white pattern on their legs (males are a lighter tan colour). They have long, shaggy, white fur on their necks and chest which can grow quite long, and a black coloured face.

Both male and female markhor have corkscrew shaped horns that can grow to 160 centimetres (63 inches) on the males and up to 25 centimetres (9.8 inches) on the females.The horns on a markhor may be straight or flare outward, depending on the subspecies. The males have a long beard on the chin.

MARKHOR HABITAT

The markhor prefers arid cliffside habitats in sparsely wooded mountainous regions as well as the Middle Asian Mountains Temperate Forests. Markhors try to avoid deep snow.


MARKHOR DIET

Markhors are grazing animals in the summer and browsing animals in the winter. The markhors diet consists of tussocks of grass, leaves and other vegetation. Like the Ibex, they stand on their hind legs to eat leaves and shoots from trees. The markhor forages 8 – 12 hours daily and it is usually active all day except for several hours in the middle of the day, when it rests and chews its cud.

MARKHOR BEHAVIOUR

Markhors are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), active early in the morning and late afternoon. Male markhors are generally solitary while females gather into herds of up to 9 individuals. Population densities in Pakistan range from 1 – 9 animals per square kilometre. The markhors alarm call resembles the call of the common domestic goat.

Markhors are agile and nimble creatures that can climb and jump over rocky terrain with ease. In the winter months the markhor descends to lower altitudes to avoid extreme cold.

Main predators of the markhor include the wolf, snow leopard, leopard, lynx and humans.

MARKHOR REPRODUCTION

Mating season begins when the male markhors enter into ‘rut’ and fight for the attention of the females. Fights involve horn locking and then twisting and pushing until one male falls over.

Markhors reach maturity at around 18 – 30 months. Mating season occurs during winter. The females gestation period lasts 135 – 170 days after which 1 to 2 young (kids) are born. Markhor kids are weaned at about 5 – 6 months. The life span of a markhor is at least 12 – 13 years.

MARKHOR CONSERVATION STATUS

The markhor is classed as an endangered species by the IUCN, meaning it is in danger of facing extinction in the near future if conservation efforts are not maintained. Numbers between 2,000 and 4,000 exist in the wild.

There are 5 sub species of markhor:

Kashmir Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis)
Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri)
Bukharan Markhor (Capra falconeri heptneri)
Sulaiman Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni)
Kabul Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros)

Each subspecies has its own status: both Capra falconeri falconeri and Capra falconeri megaceros are endangered, while Capra falconeri heptneri is critically endangered.

The reasons for the markhors decline include intensive hunting (for trophies, meat and the Asian medicine market), disturbance and loss of habitat due to expanded human settlement and competition from domestic livestock.

 

[ziaulislam]

trophy hunting is a shameful act

agree , yet it has saved markhor from extinction

A nation which presents its majestic animals as trophies for hunters needs to bow its head in utter shame. I don't care how poor or wealthy you are. Such majestic animals cannot be allowed to be hunted for leisure. This is a collective shame on us all.

Look at these nasty foreigners being allowed to practice their sick and depraved desires. Who can blame them when we allow them.

I am all against this, however,

the one that are old are labelled for hunting, its not random hunting
markhor has no came out of highly endangered species
what makes dear hunting different than this?

 

[maximuswarrior]

agree , yet it has saved markhor from extinction


I am all against this, however,

the one that are old are labelled for hunting, its not random hunting
markhor has no came out of highly endangered species
what makes dear hunting different than this?

I am against trophy or leisure hunting. Whether it is a deer or any other animal. It is morally wrong. It is sick.

 

[ghazi52]

Balochistan home minister booked for hunting endangered animal


QUETTA: Levies officials have registered a case against Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti for hunting a Markhor, an endangered species.

The case was lodged on March 26 after Balochistan High Court took notice of the ‘illegal hunting’.

A senior official of the forest department said the country’s national animal, whose poaching is prohibited by the state, was hunted in the Taktu area of Balochistan last month.

A photo showing Bugti with his rifle and a dead Markhor has since gone viral on social media.

The home minister, when contacted, said he did not receive any court notice, and denied hunting the animal ‘illegally’.

The provincial high court, during the case proceedings, directed the forest department to either penalise the home minister ($80,000-$100,000) or take legal action against him. The hearing has been adjourned till April 3.


@krash

 

[ghazi52]

Trophy hunting of markhor increase.
Rifat Ullah Orakzai,

BBC Urdu com, Peshawar

• 30 May 2017

• 
  

Photo copyrightMANZOOR
However, this rare animal being in the continued risk.

Chitral area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Northern Areas, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and there are several types of markhor in Baluchistan. However, the Astor markhor, Kashmir markhor, Suleiman Markhor Markhor and cltn remarkable. Pakistan is also found in Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan animals of this rare breed.

According to wildlife experts KP 80 were due to illegal hunting of markhor across the country in decades were in danger of ending his race. The government and international organizations active contribution scheme Hunting Trophy for wildlife conservation.

KP markhor trophy hunting scheme began to process virtually participant who say Bowling Green University in wildlife expert and former Chief Conservator Dr. Mohammad Mumtaz is the first Markhor in the province during his tenure the race was started trophy hunting scheme to protect.

He said that the markhor found in large numbers in the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the beginning, according to the sound of the language of dollars for trophy hunting in different areas of Pakistan today is a total look in most large bid Chitral in Pakistan where the permit sales last year of $ one million that is a record Is.

Photo copyrightDAILY PAKISTAN
Dr. Mohammad Mumtaz Malik added that for markhor production over the last few years in Chitral have flourished and today the total found more Markhor three thousand, while the number of the beast in Gilgit-Baltistan and Baluchistan are reported in thousands Is.

The wildlife of foreign bodies production of markhor in Pakistan over the last few years has risen to 20 percent.

The markhor hunting for the hunters spend millions every year a large number of States, United Kingdom, Spain, Russia, Turkey and other European countries to come to Pakistan. Foreign hunters for the hunt of a rare animal is considered a big game and markhor is therefore also important because they are the horns considered unique in the world which hunters turn to them for the ever safe.

20 percent is imposed on the national animal protection, while 80% of the amount received from the markhor trophy hunting is divided among the local population. Nowadays local people in the protection of animals are present the offer. According to local people the most money is spent on improving infrastructure.

Photo copyrightMANZOOR
گلگت بلتستان میں رورل سپورٹ پروگرام چلاس کے ایک افسر منظور احمد قریشی کا کہنا ہے کہ ملک کے دیگر علاقوں کی طرح گلگت بلتستان میں بھی مارخور کی غیر قانونی شکار کی وجہ سے اس کی نسل ختم ہوتی جارہی تھی۔

He said that the strategy of the government and international agencies launched the markhor trophy hunting has largely managed to protect the animals from which it has sufficiently secure.

They kill now in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas of Skardu, Bunji, Gilgit particular, jutyal drain, krgh drain, Sikandar Abad, Hunza locations eater found in large numbers and have been several successful hunt in recent days in these places .

منظور قریشی کا مزید کہنا تھا کہ مقامی آبادی کو بیشتر رقم ملنے کی وجہ سے اب وہ اپنے آپ کو اس کے اصل محافط سمجھتے ہیں اور شاید یہی وجہ ہے کہ اب اس کے غیر قانونی شکار کے امکانات بہت کم رہ گئے ہیں۔

There are still various national and international institutions for Markhor from extinction risks which have been placed on the list of animals.

Photo copyrightWWF
That the former was more of Conservator Dr. Mohammad Mumtaz country markhor therefore vanishing animal is placed in the category of the world of animals being very low already and the government does not want it be increased hunting quotas.

He said that if the pressure was removed from this category will be government issued more permits. He said they are the twelve permits hunting of markhor in Pakistan each year who paid for by the provincial and the four Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.