An American hunter has set a record by paying over Rs75 million for Markhor trophy hunt Fee, Pakistan’s national animal.
Reports confirm that this marks the highest bid ever made for a Markhor trophy hunt permit in the country’s history. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Wildlife, Farooq Nabi, explained that the hunter obtained the permit for the first Markhor of the season by bidding over Rs7 million. The hunter successfully hunted a Markhor with horns measuring over 49 inches, an exceptional size that significantly increased its value as a trophy.
Wildlife officials added that an October auction saw two permits sold for $271,000.
The permit to hunt Pakistan’s national animal, the rare Astore Markhor, fetched a record $107,000 in the latest auction held by Gilgit-Baltistan’s wildlife department. This high-value trophy hunting program funds local community projects, with 80% of proceeds going directly to… pic.twitter.com/P29cig6VQU
— Economy.pk (@pk_economy) October 31, 2024Global Appeal for Markhor Conservation
In July 2024, Pakistan called on the global community to collaborate on conservation efforts for the Markhor, highlighting its critical role in the ecosystem. Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized the animal’s ecological, cultural, and economic significance at a UN side event.
Read: American Hunts Rare Kashmir Markhor in Chitral for $125,000
“For Pakistan, the Markhor holds special importance as our national animal,” said Ambassador Akram. He added that promoting Markhor conservation could support the economy, encourage sustainable tourism, and drive economic growth.
Growing Markhor Population in Pakistan
While Markhor populations globally have declined to fewer than 6,000 mature individuals, Pakistan has steadily increased their numbers over the past decade. Proactive conservation programs and community engagement initiatives have increased the population to 3,500 to 5,000.
Ambassador Akram highlighted Pakistan’s approach, which involves strengthening community governance and promoting local ownership of natural resources as key steps toward sustainable wildlife management.
The record-breaking Markhor trophy hunt permit underscores the importance of balancing economic opportunities with long-term conservation strategies to protect the iconic Markhor.
