US Citizen Hunts Rare Markhor for $270,000 in Chitral

A US national has legally hunted a Kashmir Markhor in Chitral after securing a trophy hunting permit valued at $270,000, officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department confirmed.

The hunt took place in the Shasha–Thoshi Community Managed Game Reserve and was conducted under the direct supervision of wildlife authorities. Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Chitral, Farooq Nabi, said the activity was carried out in the Thoshi Shasha Conservancy in strict accordance with both national laws and international trophy hunting guidelines.

According to the Wildlife Department, the permit was awarded through an international bidding process, with the successful bid amounting to $270,000, roughly equivalent to Rs. 756 million. Officials said the figure underscored the international value of the Kashmir Markhor and reflected the growing recognition of Pakistan’s conservation-driven trophy hunting framework.

Nabi said the hunter, who requested anonymity, targeted a mature Markhor with a horn length measuring approximately 52 inches. The animal was taken from a distance of about 510 metres, in line with ethical hunting practices outlined in the approved permit.

Wildlife officials were present throughout the hunt to ensure full compliance with conservation rules, permit conditions, and transparency standards.

Under the established revenue-sharing mechanism, around 80 per cent of the proceeds from the hunt will be directed toward local community development. The funds are expected to support projects related to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and conservation-based livelihoods in the region.

Officials said the model has been instrumental in involving local communities in wildlife protection, reducing illegal hunting, and strengthening conservation outcomes.

Calling the Kashmir Markhor a success story of conservation, Nabi said regulated trophy hunting has helped safeguard the species while also improving economic conditions for residents of remote mountain areas.

The Kashmir Markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, is currently classified as near threatened globally. Community-led conservation efforts in Chitral have been widely credited with stabilising and increasing its population in recent years.