GILGIT: Imam Haroon, a 13-year-old boy from Islamabad, has hunted Himalayan Ibex in upper Hunza, becoming the youngest hunter in the legal trophy hunting in Gilgit-Baltistan.

According GB parks and wildlife department, Haroon hunted the Himalayan Ibex, whose horn measured 40 inches in Gulkin village of Gojal, which is at an altitude of 12,000 feet, amid harsh weather on Thursday.

After the hunt, the local residents arranged a reception for the youngest hunter after his arrival from the mountainous area.

Speaking on the occasion, Haroon said the hunt of Himalayan Ibex encouraged him to set a world record in hunting at international level. He thanked the locals for their hospitality.

Talking to Dawn on Friday, conservator GB parks and wildlife department Yaqoob Ali Khan said the hunter had obtained permit for hunting of Himalayan Ibex for Rs100,000. “The 13-year-old became the youngest hunter in the history of legal trophy hunting in GB,” he said.

The wildlife department on Sept 21, last year, had auctioned permits for the hunting of 113 rare species under the trophy hunting programme 2017-18, with the hunting of endangered Astor markhor fetching the highest licence fee of US dollar $100,000 in the history of trophy hunting.

Foreign and local hunters participated in the bidding.

Hunting permits for four Astor markhors were auctioned for $68,000 to $100,000, 14 blue sheep for $8,000 to $10,000 and 95 ibexes for $3,600.

The hunting season in the region begins in Nov and ends in April.

According to officials, the trophy hunting quota was created on the basis of annual surveys conducted by wildlife experts.

GB parks and wildlife conservator said national and foreign hunters participated in the trophies after obtaining permits.

The previous trophy hunting programme earned $248,000.

The trophy hunting fees for national, international and local hunters vary.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2018