Conservation, Management and Threats to Markhor population in Pakistan: An Overview: Markhor Population in Pakistan

Roheela  Yasmeen; Faheem  Hafeez; Aisha Waheed  Qurashi; Sumaira  Mazhar; Aneeza .; Samar .; Farah  Ahmad; Rida  Arif; Sundas  Nisar; Aansa  Khatoon; Nimra  Ijaz

doi:10.54393/mjz.v3i02.38

Authors

Roheela Yasmeen Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Faheem Hafeez Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Aisha Waheed Qurashi Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Sumaira Mazhar Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Aneeza . Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Samar . Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Farah Ahmad Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Rida Arif Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Sundas Nisar Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Aansa Khatoon Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan
Nimra Ijaz Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/mjz.v3i02.38

Keywords:

Markhor, Conservation, Threats, Decline, Agencies

Abstract

Markhor is a national animal of Pakistan. It is present in different regions of KPK, and Balochistan, with the majority of the population in KPK particularly in Swat and Chitral district. Markhor has two sub-species that are further divided in to five types Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri), Kashmir or Pir Panjal Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis), Kabul Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), Suleiman Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni), and Chiltan Markhor (Capra falconeri chialtanensis). The fifth one Chiltan Markhor is not a true Markhor and considered a crossbreed of Markhor and wild goat. These Markhor species are present in different areas of Pakistan and they differ from each other on the basis of their location and their horns. Its IUCN status is near threatened in Pakistan. The major reasons for its decline are habitat loss, illegal hunting and poaching. Although, a number of conservation programs and various national and international agencies are working for the protection of this animal such as TCP, KPK wildlife department etc. The present review highlights the importance of Markhor along with its distribution, major threats and conservation strategies adopted to protect Markhor.

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