Kashmir_markhor
Kashmir markhor
Possible subspecies of Capra falconeri
The Kashmir markhor, Pir Panjal markhor, or flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) is a possible subspecies of Capra falconeri endemic to the Western Himalayas of India and Pakistan. Many, including the IUCN, do not consider it a separate subspecies.[2]
These markhors are hunted as part of a community-based hunting program. In the past, according to a survey conducted by CITES and the WWF with help from the KPK wildlife department, only 300 Markhors were counted. Then government started the community-based hunting program and issued 4 hunting permits per year. It also required that 80% of the revenue collected through trophy hunting be donated to the local community, which encouraged locals to stop poaching it as a source of food. This hunting program succeeded and a more recent survey counted 4000 markhors.
This animal is easier to hunt than the Astor markhor or Suleman markhor but the hunter must be in good physical condition. A 40-inch horn is considered representable.