Title
Markhor and Siberian ibex occurrence and conservation in northern Afghanistan
Author(s)
Moheb, Zalmai ;Mostafawi, Said Naqibullah ;Zahler, Peter I. ;Fuller, Todd K.
Published
2018
Publisher
Caprinae News
Abstract
In Asia, markhor Capra falconeri and
Siberian ibex Capra sibirica occur in six and eleven
countries respectively, and both species have been
reported in Afghanistan. However, few wildlife
studies in Afghanistan have been made in recent
years and the current distribution of markhor and
ibex is largely unknown. We conducted field surveys
in northern Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan in
July-October 2011, and documented the presence of
markhor and ibex there for the first time. We made
direct observations of markhor in Shahr-e Buzurg
District and the Darwaz region, and collected indirect
field evidence and community reports of markhor
and ibex. The strip of land along the Amu Darya River
from western Darwaz to Shahr-e Buzurg district
through Khawahan and Raghistan districts should be
a priority site for future markhor and ibex
conservation in Afghanistan. If protection measures
are taken, this area along with the adjacent
protected area in Tajikistan, could act as valuable
and viable refuge for sustaining markhor and other
wild species that inhabit the region.
Keywords
Shahr-e Buzurg;Darwaz;Capra falconeri;markhor;Capra sibirica;ibex;conservation
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