GILGIT: A resident of Chitral district has hunted the largest trophy, a Himalayan ibex with horns measuring 53.5 inches, in Hushey valley of Ghanche district of Gilgit-Baltistan.

An official of GB wildlife department told Dawn that it was the largest trophy hunted so far in the area.

Dr Khurshid-ul-Mulk from Chitral hunted the largest trophy of the season on Friday.

The official said the Hushey valley was famous for natural species, particularly ibex, markhor and snow leopards. He said the GB wildlife department distributed 98 licences of trophy hunting of precious animals for foreign, national and local successful bidders for the season 2016-17.

The permit was auctioned in September last year for four markhors, 80 ibexes and 14 blue sheep.

The highest rate offered for a markhor was 65,700 US dollars, for Ibex 3,300 dollars and blue sheep 8,300 dollars, said the official, adding highest rate for ibex for national hunters was Rs300,000 and 55,000 for local hunters.

The wildlife official said the reserved rate for an Astor markhor was 65,000 US dollars, for ibex 3,100 dollars and for blue sheep 8,000 dollars, while Ibex rate for national hunters was Rs100,000 and 50,000 for local hunters.

Ghulam Mohammad, conservator wildlife and parks, said large number of foreigners and local people had been arrested while hunting illegally. He said that trophy hunting quota was increased on the basis of annual surveys conducted by the wildlife experts and the demand of the local communities who controlled illegal hunting in the region in collaboration with the wildlife department.

GB government would give 80 per cent of the proceeds to the respective local communities and the rest of 20 per cent would go to the government exchequer.

Published in Dawn January 22nd, 2017