Endangered Species: The Markhor

As the national animal of Pakistan, you could be easily deceived into believing that the Markhor was a species that was looked after, or at the very least in a stable position in terms of endangerment. Unfortunately this is not the case, as there are only around 2,500 mature breeding individuals left in the wild with an overall population of close to 4,000 including the young and infirm.

Found in north-eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, southern Tajikistan and southern Uzbekistan, the Markhor is a hardy creature that survives in mountainous terrain between elevations of 600m to approximately 3,600m, typically in scrub forests with pines and oaks. Their diet shifts with the seasons from grazing in summer to browsing in winter and the cold months, which is when their mating season begins. Markhor have few young during this period, up to two or rarely three, which is part of the reason that the species population is declining.

It has been postulated that the Markhor was used to help breed many of the domestic goat species that have been used throughout the ages, as many of their signature characteristics can be traced through the genetic line. Egyptian goats and their horns seem to lend some weight to this theory, although there are enough differences to suggest against a close relationship. It is understandable why the Markhor is suited to be a genetic patriarch, as their ability to survive in rough conditions and their adaptive seasonal diet are perfect characteristics for feral or farmed goat breeds.

Part of the reason for the Markhor’s decline is thanks to the fashion of hunting them during the time of British India, where colonialists enjoyed them as prey due to the dangerous and challenging nature of the hunt in the high and mountainous terrain. In more recent times, they are still hunted for food by natives in India, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  They have also been captured for use in private game ranches in Texas, but as of yet have not escaped with enough numbers to create a breeding population in the wild, like the Ibex and other species have managed in the past.

 Excessive hunting of the Markhor over the last few centuries that has carried on to present times has put intense pressure on the Markhor, making a species that is already spread out and fragmented that much more in danger, as overexploitation has pushed this hardy creature that can survive whatever the elements throw at it into a dangerous decline which, unless we work hard to change the way it is viewed as hunting product, will all but disappear.