Title
Status of flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri) in Jutial Conservancy, District Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan (previously northern areas), Pakistan
Author(s)
Khan, Mayoor ;Siddiqui, Pervaiz A. ;Raza, Abid ;Zahler, Peter
Published
2018
Publisher
International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology
Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the status of the flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri) in Jutial
Conservancy, District Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan. Field surveys were conducted during the winter (rut season) of 2014
when markhor population gathered in large herds at lower slopes. Habitat degradation due to removal of natural
vegetation for fodder, firewood collection, over- grazing of pastures by livestock and uncontrolled movement of
tourists in the core markhor habitat are still major factors that restrict the markhor population in the conservancy. The
illegal hunting in the Conservancy is still a threat to markhor population due to movement of markhor to the
adjacent/surrounding conservancies of Sai and Kargah. Field surveys using vantage point method for counting markhor
were conducted in potential markhor habitat during December, 2014 and questionnaire-based interviews were also held
with the community wildlife rangers, local hunters and shepherds to assess the ingenious knowledge and to compare
the current and past status of the species. Survey results revealed the presence of a total of 162 markhor with the
composition of kids/yearlings, females and males. The results of the study also indicated a significant increase in the
population of markhor, including trophy-sized animals, validating that community participation and co-management
has contributed to the conservation of the area’s wildlife and habitat. The outcomes of the study further justify that the
conservation interventions, specifically the trophy hunting program initiated in the Conservancy both by the Parks &
Wildlife Department Gilgit-Baltistan and the Wildlife Conservation Society, are a successful model of communitybased
markhor conservation in the region, which can be replicated in other parts of the range of the species for
collaborative management of markhor and other natural resources and to improve the livelihood of local communities.
Keywords
Markhor;Capra falconeri falconeri;Jutial Conservancy;Gilgit-Baltistan
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