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An American trophy hunter paid $125,000 (equivalent to Rs. 349 million) to hunt and kill a Kashmiri markhor, the national animal of Pakistan. The hunted incident took place near the Gahirat-Golen community game reserve in Chitral during the third trophy hunting of the season on February 18, 2024.
The Wildlife Department official disclosed that the hunted markhor was eight years old, with its horn size measured at approximately 38 inches. The trophy hunting program has played a role in increasing the population of these wild goats in Pakistan over the years.
The 2024 hunting season had commenced with the hunting of a 9.5-year-old markhor in Lower Chitral in December of the previous year. Local representatives and wildlife officials closely monitored the expedition to ensure adherence to laws.
Under the annual trophy hunting program, two licenses are issued for markhor hunting, with 80% of the total cost distributed among the local community and 20% deposited into the national treasury. The program strictly targets only old and male markhors, identified by their horns, gait, and body structure. It is hailed as a significant success in biodiversity preservation in Pakistan.
Despite being protected by local and international laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the trophy hunting program continues to draw criticism and debate on ethical and conservation grounds.
