GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan police and the wildlife officials are searching for the person (s) who killed the highest rated female Astore markhor in Bunji area of the district despite a complete ban on its hunting.

The postmortem report of the body suggested that the rare species was shot dead with a gun.

According to GB wildlife and parks department officials, recently they were informed that a female Astore markhor had been killed in Bunji. The wildlife personnel visited the area and were told by the locals that the female markhor was gun shot from Haramosh area of Gilgit.

Later, a team comprising wildlife department officials from Gilgit and Astore started a joint action, recovered body of Astore markhor and took it to Gilgit town.

Postmortem of the body conducted at a veterinary hospital in Gilgit on Tuesday suggested that the rare animal had been shot by a gun.

Yaqub Ali Khan, conservator GB wildlife and parks department, told Dawn that a case had been registered in Haramosh police station against the accused.

The GB police and wildlife personnel have started operation to trace the killer of the rare animal, he said, adding the Astore markhor was the highest rated hunting animal in GB.

In recent auctions for trophy hunting programme, 2018-19, the hunting permit of Astore markhor was purchased at 100,000 US dollars. These permits are issued for hunting of only male and overage markhors with specified conditions.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2018