Distribution of Markhor in Pakistan.

 In comparison to other Capra members, Markhor is a goat with low heights, existing between 700 and 1000 m along the Suleiman range's lower slopes. However, in winter they reached up to 2700 m and in summer upto 4000 m in Chitral valley. It leans toward regions with abrupt slants and bluffs getting little precipitation. A provisional distribution of Markhor species has shown in Figure 1.

Number of Markhor in Pakistan 

In the Chitral Division, there are over 800-1000 Markhor. Review reports indicated that the Swat, Chitral, and Dir Kohistan Divisions included 1400 Markhor. The IUCN declared all Markhor subspecies to be endangered in 1996. People are the essential hunters of the Markhor. Since Markhor occupies exceptionally steep and difficult to reach hilly territory, a few fortresses of Markhor species often approached by humans, Eurasian lynx, Snow leopards, Wolves, Black bear are predators of Markhor.

 Importance of Markhor 

Markhor as national animal have cultural, social and economic value in Pakistan. It has distinguishing features which caught the attention of many hunters and illegal trophy hunting because of its skin coat, hair and horns. 




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