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GILGIT: A third American citizen on Monday hunted the highest-priced markhor during the current hunting season in Sassi village of Gilgit.
According to the Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department, Bryan Kinsel Harlan successfully hunted a flared-horned markhor from Sassi-Harmosh community conservation area.
The hunter had paid a record 110,000 US dollar as permit fee for hunting of the rare wildlife species in the region.
This is the highest permit fee ever offered in the country.
The foreign hunter managed to hunt a 41-inch markhor trophy, which is considered a good-sized trophy.
“It was an easy and close shot and I am pleased to take this trophy,” said the US hunter.
On Jan 21, another US citizen Dianda Christopher Anthony had hunted the highest-rated Astore Markhor after paying 105,000 US dollars.
On Jan 16, yet another American, John Amistoso, had hunted the Astore Markhor in the community-controlled Bunji area of Gilgit, paying the 100,000 US dollars permit fee.
So far, about 50 wildlife animals have been hunted by foreigners and national hunters in GB under trophy hunting season 2018-19.
Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2019
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On DawnNews
Comments (240) Closed
Feb 05, 2019 08:57am
Where would this money be used?
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Feb 05, 2019 09:08am
Destroy your wildlife heritage. Not wise
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Feb 05, 2019 09:16am
This is very upsetting
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Feb 05, 2019 09:16am
Humans have made such majestic animals their 'trophy'.
Wonder what pleasure they get killing an animal for 'fun'.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:23am
Can someone stop this illegal killing of poor soul. Markhor is the beauty of Pakistan mountains.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:32am
Hope the trophy value is well spent on the communities living there and it helps in conservation of wildlife .. I look forward to further reporting on how well that money is spent.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:34am
Will $110,000 replace the precious hunted animal? Killing innocent animals just for the sake pride is inhumane. I urge the government to ban hunting in the region.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:38am
This is sheer brutality. Shame on the concerned authorities.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:38am
Why would you allow your national animal being hunted!
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Feb 05, 2019 09:55am
What a beautiful animal being killed. We should save our rare wildlife.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:56am
this is good for tourism and sports and this money should be spent on welfare of the people of local people or tourism dept.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:01am
How many are left of any specific species in the GB area do we know? Trophy price is high and makes sense, but the count of these animals in the wild hope is accurate..
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Feb 05, 2019 10:04am
No harm if they pay good top USD $$. However, should be limited , monitored and support breeding programs.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:08am
Is it official ??
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Feb 05, 2019 10:08am
For those who may not know, this is also part of Tourism.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:16am
It does not matter as far as they are paying.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:16am
where is the money??
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Feb 05, 2019 10:17am
Pay the money and freely kill the endangered, precious and very rare wildlife Pakistani animals, take the trophy and enjoy. Very sad. Is this Naya Pakistan?
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Feb 05, 2019 10:18am
that's a shame!
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Feb 05, 2019 10:20am
This must be stopped. We must protect this endangered species. Shame on all those involved in this hunting.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:26am
I hope the money gained by issuing these permits is used for the protection of this species and further breeding programs are intiated.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:29am
Why permission was given hunt. This is criminal.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:29am
and where did that 110000$ go. in someones pocket.?
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Feb 05, 2019 10:31am
Will a Pakistani be allowed to hunt like this in US?
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Feb 05, 2019 10:34am
Govt should ban Markhor hunting. This is terrible.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:42am
Why advertise the citizenship and origin of the hunters to create bad blood between the nations instead of criticizing the Pakistani government which sells the hunting licenses to them?
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Feb 05, 2019 10:48am
This is Naya Pakistan. congratulations. please also share as where this money is spent.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:52am
I really fail to understand these people who love and take pleasure in killing or murder of these animals and they pose as if has done an act of kindness. 50 animals gone. Shameless people !
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Feb 05, 2019 10:52am
So it sounds true "in this world, everything has a price tag". There should be no compromise whatever they are paying.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:55am
There should be no price for valuable life of this beautiful creature.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:56am
The govt would stop hunting wildlife.
They will be endangered in near future.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:56am
To all those commenting here about how this is brutal. I would love to see if they can annually pay the same price money for the 4 permits government of GB issues for Markhor hunt. It is a natural resource of GB and not only it generates huge sum of money but helps in artificial preservation of the species as all the hunters go for the oldest possible goat paving the way for younger markhors to breed. And this actually has helped in preservation as 80% of the money earned is given to the community from where the animal is harvested. So stop whining about it.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:00am
@RC, This is not destroying wild-life heritage; however a chance to make it prosper.
80% of the income from the trophy goes to the community & wild life welfare; whereas 20% goes to government exchequer. And it is in millions (USD)
The Markhors which are hunted are generally old which are generally non productive.
For your information, the quantity of Markhors in Pakistan due to this Programme has increased as the earnings help to invest back to the people & wild life
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Feb 05, 2019 11:00am
@Tariq, yes.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:08am
Why calling it hunted and not being referred to killed?
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Feb 05, 2019 11:15am
National animal for sale.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:18am
I used to be equally mortified some time back. But the logic of these hunts now make sense. Someone very close recently accompanied a hunting expedition, so the knowledge. Yes hunting permits are issued but only for old animals which have lived their lives and are expected to die sooner or later. These are pinpointed by locals who assist the hunter in tracking and hunting them. No young ones are hurt in this matter. Locals pay around Rs. 1 million for the permit whereas foreigners, you can see.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:39am
Someone with just few brain cells left in their head plz stop this slaughter of this majestic animals or we will have none of these beautiful animals left for our future generations, perhaps only photos on the tails of PIA planes. These dollars wouldn't last very long either.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:41am
The program has been a great success, a community based program where 80% of the funds go to the Community welfare fund and 20% to the local Wildlife Department. The wildlife has thrived many folds due to this program. Local now value the animals and hence keep a watch over the area and poaching to a great extent has been stopped. The foreign tourist go deep inside these remote parts of these areas', they spend money on food, lodging and tip's, in addition to the trophy fee, which gives these area's an much needed economic boost.
As for the animals, the older male's stop breeding and at the same time don't allow any younger male's near the females hence become a hindrance in the reproduction cycle. The program benefits both man and the wild.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:45am
And this kind of paid hunting is legal in Pakistan!! What is wrong with you guys? Alas!! What a fall!! What a fall!
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Feb 05, 2019 11:51am
They should use this money to ensure the stability of the Markhor population.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:52am
Such a shame to kill these beautiful non threatening animals.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:53am
Use of formal permits and restricted hunting is the way to go.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:09pm
hope the money gained by issuing these permits is used for the protection of this species and further breeding programs are intiated....
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Feb 05, 2019 12:10pm
Now, the GB government needs to act smart. Start brooding of the rare species in the domestic firms and when they grow up release them the wild areas so that you can earn money and the rare species can be preserved. In this way, you earn a good prize money and increase the number of rare species.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:10pm
Stop hunting any type of animal.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:11pm
We are a pathetic country, doing all wrong things.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:18pm
The money is used for community development such as education and health of the communities living in and around the area. The communities often protect the area as this is possibly the only external funding they can get in these remote areas. The article even mentions the 'community- controlled' area where none is allowed to kill the animals except rich westerners. These would otherwise be killed by the locals anyway like many other animals that have been wiped out in Pakistan by locals without much benefit. This model has worked really well for the communities and should be supported. Besides these are old male animals and does not affect the breeding arrangement in the herd. Female animals are not allowed to be shot.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:18pm
This business of killing markhors is gaining a lot of popularity because of the high fees the GOP receives from 'contract killers.'
First it is houbara bustards that get killed for sport by Arab princes.
Secondly, markhors are getting killed for sporting trophies that are kept in the bar-room and stories are told over a glass of whiskey. This is not attracting tourism but hired-killers.
Thirdly, Zimbabwe gained international notoriety over the killing of a popularly visited lion that became famous with tourists.
Fourthly, if the GOP is worried over over population of markhors, then we have snow leopards that feed on them.
This has to stop because killing for sport is no longer an acceptable activity as many species are going into extinction because of urban habits. Markhor is our national animal. Salams
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Feb 05, 2019 12:18pm
@Zeeshandxb, @RC, @NT, Majority of the money goes back to the community. I beleive the split is 70% to community, 20% to the Wildlife Department and 10% to the Goverment. In addition to this the hunters also pay the concession holders for their lodging, trekking and other expenses.
Communities identify old and non productive males for the hunt. This encourages them to safeguard the wild life and increase the hurd size
Pakistan also has one of the world renonwed Snow Lepord conservation plan in Gilgit/Baltistan. The villagers are encouraged NOT to harm the animals and are compensated for any livestock losses.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:21pm
Everyone saying here that animal killing is not fair and all, will have beef burger, chicken shashlik, fish tikka and mutton brain in dinner :). Killing of animal is a killing, irrespective it is a national animal or a common animal !!
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Feb 05, 2019 12:22pm
Extremely Barbaric. What a shame!
Trophy hunting should be banned.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:29pm
Absolutely disappointing.. killing an already diminishing wildlife of Pakistan
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Feb 05, 2019 12:36pm
Very sad to know, dont go for this money and dont destroy this beautiful animal.
Government should immediately stop it and rather put heavy fines and imprisonment over its hunt
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Feb 05, 2019 12:41pm
Shameful.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:44pm
I am not a fan of destrooying rare wildlife. I would like to preserve it. Additionally, where are the permit funds being used? This is a beautiful animal that needs to be preserved.
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Feb 05, 2019 12:56pm
Disgusting !!!!!
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Feb 05, 2019 12:58pm
What a great and grave tragedy?
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Feb 05, 2019 01:03pm
Very blunder decisio.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:07pm
This is an excellent business model. All we need to do it breed these goats and let it in the wild and take money from hunters. Win win situation. Fantastic planning by PMIK PTI. Bravo
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Feb 05, 2019 01:12pm
This is truly disgusting. Is money everything?
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Feb 05, 2019 01:15pm
Calm down everybody. This whole controlled hunting is to keep the population under check when there are very few natural hunting animals. When there are no loins and tigers etc to control the grass eating wild animals population in control, then they destroy the natural habitat.
Bye the way, the amount for the trophy is spent locally and with proper transparency.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:16pm
Shame on these hunters . Shame on Pak authorities and everyone involved. You all have sold your souls. Pathetic.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:17pm
Very upsetting. Totally against hunting animals just for fun. Very bad and shame on the country.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:21pm
These dollars can’t replce the precious life of these animals ,
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Feb 05, 2019 01:23pm
No amount of money can compensate for the lost biodiversity. Shame on these officials.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:23pm
Wow... we were in dire need of dollars and lo dollars we got. Good work Govt.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:27pm
Shame on this killer
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Feb 05, 2019 01:35pm
For all those criticising this due to sheer ignorance, I invite you to do a simple google search on the topic of trophy hunting. It takes less clicks than commenting here, and you’ll be a bit more intelligent for it.
Around the world (and in Pakistan especially), trophy hunting is a major source of funds for not only the local populations, but for conservation efforts as well. In the case of Pakistani Markhor, the main conservation effort is done by locals (who prevent poaching and destruction of habitat). In exchange, the lions share of any hunting permit sold is given to these locals. The remaining money is mostly used to further strengthen conservation efforts, so that the animals are protected and hunted legally instead of being poached (a problem rampant in Pakistan).
When done legally, trophy hunting is perhaps the best way to conserve these animals (in a world where our govt. doesn’t give conservation enough priority otherwise).
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Feb 05, 2019 01:36pm
What a shame. Cant we find better ways of making money ? Whats next , we will allow our citizens to be shot and hunted for a license fee lets say ,to raise money for healthcare !?
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Feb 05, 2019 01:36pm
@Khan, shame on yiu
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Feb 05, 2019 01:40pm
What is.happening here that they are destroying our national heritage .. there. Was a nationalist movement last year in usa on the issue of dismentalling of their freedom statue ... national heritage is essence of country's rich culture and civilatization... and the incumbent gov is sole responsible for its destruction
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Feb 05, 2019 01:43pm
@gj, 80% to the area community where the animal was harvested and 20% to the wildlife department. The Community council then sits and decides where to spend the money i.e. local roads, schools, dispensaries or maybe a drainage system etc.
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Feb 05, 2019 01:54pm
bustard and markhror are allowed to be hunted for money, how do u stop pakistanis from doing the same in law holds little fear in these parts of pakistan
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Feb 05, 2019 01:58pm
How low can you go to have money? Shameless!
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Feb 05, 2019 01:59pm
this animal is an endangered species wow how can yhe government let this happen. shame on gilgit government.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:02pm
Is this a joke, should pay this to hunt forestry department officials. That will be fun
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Feb 05, 2019 02:03pm
Any thing for money.They should protect these animals. Very Sad indeed. I hope the government intervene.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:04pm
Americans can only destroy because we let them, I am truly disgusted.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:07pm
Killing near threatened species which was under special measures until 2015 is a looney idea. Who approved this massacre?
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Feb 05, 2019 02:22pm
This is sickening.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:23pm
why???
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Feb 05, 2019 02:29pm
It is a sad and shameless act of killing these graceful creatures. It saddens me that for a mere 110k dollars we are letting these people kill these animals. Have some.dignity and charge a decent.price. Raise it to 1m dollars.please.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:29pm
Make it an industry. use this money for Markhor conservation and breeding. It is alright if 70 markhors are born/conserved and 50 die paying.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:30pm
Shameful. This country shows little respect to its already dwindled natural treasures. Convert everything to money is its widely accepted philosophy.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:33pm
How can we allow such rare animals to be hunted down for money. Shame on us.
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Feb 05, 2019 02:37pm
If animals could speak , mankind would weep . ☹️
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Feb 05, 2019 02:56pm
Hunting fee should be used to breed and free to the wild on maturity, more markhors for the continuity of the trade. Just like the Chileans did with the world's highest priced wool producing animals, Alpacas.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:01pm
What a shame!
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Feb 05, 2019 03:02pm
Well it is good to have thorough knowledge about the subject before commenting,trophy season is an annual event where 3 narkhors of more than age 8 are choose for hunting.80 percent of the revenue generated goes to the communities.. which safe guard the narkhors.This approach has proved to be successful as population of animal has increased for hunters became guardians.there is infanct the need to increase the no. of trophy animals to generate more revenue for the community..
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Feb 05, 2019 03:04pm
There should be a ban on all hunting, PTI should make this a top priority, otherwise we will loose all our wildlife, look at the ME, where the wildlife is extinct, and now they come to Pak fro their pleasure.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:06pm
Please use this money for the development projects in GB. We should welcome more visitors for hunting to generate revenues.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:11pm
First look at the beautiful animal, then look at the ugly human being.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:11pm
@Zeeshandxb, For the local community.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:13pm
Sad! Such a beautiful thing killed for only $110,000.
Take notice Imran Khan. We thought you loved nature!
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Feb 05, 2019 03:15pm
For some dollars u r playing with your wildlife.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:18pm
Congratulations, Bryan Kinsel Harlan for hunt a 41-inch markhor trophy !
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Feb 05, 2019 03:27pm
need to stop them wildlife heritage is not for sale the govt must take an immediate action
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Feb 05, 2019 03:28pm
very sad to know indeed whats wrong with local people and the govt??
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Feb 05, 2019 03:29pm
This government is showing itself to be as shameless as it's predecessors!
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Feb 05, 2019 03:32pm
This has to stop. Why isnt IK taking note? Who is issuing these licences and to Americans too? Doesnt matter how much money someone offers its blood money if it involves the taking away of a life.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:34pm
What kind of country is Pakistan !
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Feb 05, 2019 03:36pm
Never hear that this happens in India, Kenya, Congo and the former two are poorer countries than Pakistan. They protect their wildlife and attract more in terms of tourists than $110,000 for a licence.
Problem with Pakistan is that the poeple think short term not long term and as a result make bad decisions.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:40pm
Then why do pakistanis feel bad when an american says that they will sell their mother for money.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:41pm
Isn’t there is a question of these animals being extinct? If that risk exist then we need to prevent that extinction period!! As far as what the funds are used for is another question by itself. Unfortunately due to Pakistan’s history of money laundering by the previous governments the trust factor of what the funds are used for will take a very long time to restore.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:51pm
sellin rare animal for money tats deep
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Feb 05, 2019 03:55pm
i would undestand if he ran after the animal and killed it with a knfe or bare hands
with a rifle even a kid can do it not o mention the local guides he hired
sick of people like this
imran khan stop this bring the change
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Feb 05, 2019 03:57pm
Is this legal from Islamic perspective?
I think it is strictly illegal. We have even laws about which animals (keeping in view their age, health, etc) we can kill and under so that we can eat them.
There has to be a media campaign against it.
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Feb 05, 2019 03:59pm
Who says this is game...this is a murder...
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Feb 05, 2019 03:59pm
@Patriot, Will $110,000 replace the precious hunted animal? Killing innocent animals just for the sake pride is inhumane. I urge the government to ban hunting in the region
where is the pride he is sick
kill with ur bare hands and go alone in the jungle not with 10 local guides
pls protest
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Feb 05, 2019 04:02pm
Pathetic
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Feb 05, 2019 04:05pm
This is a disgrace. Destroying your own wildlife resources for a few shekels
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Feb 05, 2019 04:14pm
That money won't bring Pakistan out of its difficulties however it would definitely bring an end to this beautiful creature. Our religion strictly prohibits killing if animals for sports..!! This is indeed a moment if silence and contemplation for us
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Feb 05, 2019 04:18pm
Stop this nonsense, killing a beautiful creature
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Feb 05, 2019 04:23pm
Most idiotic way of making money. Pakistanis should be ashamed of this and arrest and punish all those killing wildlife for any reason. Distasteful publicity.
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Feb 05, 2019 04:24pm
@AhmadAG, why do you encourage killing...
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Feb 05, 2019 04:35pm
What is point of earning money by destroying wildlife?
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Feb 05, 2019 04:47pm
Markhor is very beautiful animal and sad part is it's very rare species. It's priceless, let them live and spread all over the world, give to some countries on rent that people could see this animal
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Feb 05, 2019 04:52pm
Very sad to let him kill this rare animal!! Shame on the local as well Federal officials to allow this to.happen and should have punished him 20 years jail with millions of us dollars fine.
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Feb 05, 2019 05:08pm
These brave souls wont last 2 minutes in a fight on the street. They show bravado behind a high calibre hunting gun and thousands of dollars. Shame on them.
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Feb 05, 2019 05:11pm
I hope the amount is used in markhor preservation and research
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Feb 05, 2019 05:14pm
Pakistani can sell anything for dollars!!
A USA judge’s remarked!!!!
Selling your national icon is amazing
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Feb 05, 2019 05:15pm
This ia our national animal so plz save them do not kill them for such low price it's priceless..
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Feb 05, 2019 05:26pm
@marcus, "Who is issuing these licences and to Americans too? " The license is under the conventions regarding wildlife conservation and monitored as well. The number of animals allowed to be killed is extremely low and proportional to the actual population of that specie, and extremely expensive. The gender and age is specified. I don't like humans hunting animals for fun, but don't need to be carried away either.
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Feb 05, 2019 05:32pm
@Zuba, "Can someone stop this illegal killing of poor soul. Markhor is the beauty of Pakistan mountains." Those who are allowed to be hunted, are already out of breeding cycle and will not be hunted by predators as well, but will soon die naturally anyway. The money paid by hunters helps saving the young breeding ones.
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Feb 05, 2019 05:49pm
There are always better and more decent ways of making money. But the people and authorities here are too lazy, they have become used spoon feeding.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:00pm
People are bought everyday, all over the world. Imagine paying a measly $10 just to look and appreciate these animals on a safari like trip ?
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Feb 05, 2019 06:02pm
Totally disgusting...
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Feb 05, 2019 06:03pm
These poor animals are born to lives not for hunt.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:04pm
shame on Pakistan for allowing this!
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Feb 05, 2019 06:09pm
From the picture it is hard to make out who is the animal.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:18pm
Very very sad. Understand a poor villager poaching to keep alive. Cannot understand these rick\h people who kill for sport. Disgusting.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:29pm
What??? Just for few $$$ dollars we are destroying our own rare species!!!
Feeling shame for being a Pakistani.
Encourage foreigner to invest in Pakistan is alright.
But kill the treasures of Pakistan and earning upon them? Ridiculous.
Where is our morals heading...
Naya Pakistan is dollar earning machine not a welfare state.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:35pm
Very Upset.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:36pm
To all those who are speaking foul for the government, Markhor hunting is granted through a bidding process and money collected from bids completely being used for local people and Markhor breeding. Local wildlife department select a Markhor which is old and will die in one or two years and hunter can only hunt that specific Markhor.
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Feb 05, 2019 06:54pm
Regardless of the price paid by hunters, Markhor hunting should be banned if they are endangered species.
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Feb 05, 2019 07:01pm
With IMF refusing funds, this is one more source of revenue.
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Feb 05, 2019 07:03pm
Tragic to say the least....while the world in general and countries in specific are trying to ensure the survival of endangered species we Pakistanis are busy making quick bucks without any worries about the consequences. During the gunja regime, ithe onus was on strengthening personal relationship and in Naya Pakistan it seems to be generating foreign exchange....bravo
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Feb 05, 2019 07:12pm
How many permits are allowed yearly?
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Feb 05, 2019 07:19pm
The animal looks so beautiful in the wild, not sure how could one hunt it and call it as trophy..
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Feb 05, 2019 07:28pm
So rich can get away with anything. This only happens in Pakistan. Even in America these individuals cannot pay money to get permits to hunt like this.
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Feb 05, 2019 07:29pm
Explains why our 'own' national animal is goin' extinct. Horrendous.
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Feb 05, 2019 07:40pm
Sickening, our own Goverment is destroying our heritage. Shame on you.
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Feb 05, 2019 07:43pm
Why is pm select mum on this heinous crime
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Feb 05, 2019 07:50pm
Such a beautiful creature exterminated for sport. This is unacceptable.
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Feb 05, 2019 08:09pm
@Tariq, There are hunting seasons in US where people are allowed to hunt select animals for a few months
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Feb 05, 2019 08:11pm
Such a senseless waste of a rare and beautiful animal. No hunting permits should be issued for any amount of money where wildlife in endangered.
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Feb 05, 2019 08:48pm
Stop hunting this precious species!
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Feb 05, 2019 08:49pm
Such a shame for Pakistan and Pakistanis .
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Feb 05, 2019 08:57pm
There is no sense of achievement in taking a life. Live and let live.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:07pm
This type of hunting should be banned the wildlife in Pakistan is limited due primarily to the pressures of population.The bustard in the southern areas of Pakistan are becoming rare due to unlimited hunting by Arab royalty --- please this is a natural source of beauty that is irreplaceable, the majestic markhor exists nowhere else!!
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Feb 05, 2019 09:07pm
What a shame wildlife conservationist.
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Feb 05, 2019 09:35pm
While in India, superstar like Salman is being haunted and hated for hunting... and in Pakistan, it is being glorified with "FEE for Hunting"...Seriously?
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Feb 05, 2019 09:40pm
What a shame, killing animals just for pleasure!
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Feb 05, 2019 09:45pm
Stop this brutal killing of Innocent animal. Shame on the government which is allowing this brutal killing>
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Feb 05, 2019 09:59pm
Corruption and greed is a evil mix. Shame.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:04pm
Allowing killing NATIONAL ANIMAL for money is unheard of anywhere in the world. Shameful !
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Feb 05, 2019 10:35pm
@Patriot, well said. It is criminal act of those to give permit to hunting of this priceless endangered species of Markhor. With 50 killed so far, are we heading towards extermination of this beautiful animal from our conserved and protected areas. I know that our KPK govt. functionationaries are blinded by green currency but the question remains Where is our federal govt. IUCN and other international Organisation to stop this ongoing genocide of few hundred left Markhors?
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Feb 05, 2019 10:49pm
The dead Markhor in the picture looks more graceful than the hunter.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:53pm
the national animal is shot for money.
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Feb 05, 2019 10:57pm
Shameful!
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Feb 05, 2019 11:07pm
It says hunted in "Conservation Area"...is this Conservation ? Would US allow anyone, let alone a Pakistani, to do the same on US soil ???? What kind of policy is that
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Feb 05, 2019 11:31pm
Shame on each and everyone of the Pakistanis that allowed this to happen! Shame on each and everyone of the Pakistanis that remain quiet about this! Why don't these foreigners go hunt in their own countries instead of ruining our wildlife? This kind of hunting is not for food but a money-grab by the so called officials who allow this to happen. When are Pakistanis going to wake up, speak up? Shame on all of us for not being able to preserve the sanctity and beauty of our country!
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Feb 05, 2019 11:46pm
We have come to such a position if the the sufficient money is paid you can hunt Human beings also.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:49pm
@SkyHawk, Educate yourself about trophy hunting before spouting ill-informed comments. Trophy hunting has been bringing in the much needed money for community development in these far flung areas for past many years. Further it is the only way to ensure sustainable hunting. Only 1 animal is allowed to be killed for one permit-Information that i am sure you don't know. These areas are being managed by local communities and this program has been a huge success story for the endangered species of that area.
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Feb 05, 2019 11:51pm
@Tariq, Yes they are, trophy hunting is practiced all over the world.
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Feb 06, 2019 12:34am
well i think its absolutely fine, because with controlled hunting the number of markhors and other species are growing. and the majority money is used by the local community and some portion is gone to the wildlife department for management.
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Feb 06, 2019 01:36am
if we use that money to conserve the other animals this is ok, because in nature killing 1 aminal saves others
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Feb 06, 2019 01:41am
I'm starting to lose my patience with PTI, i'm having a very hard time trying to continue to support them
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Feb 06, 2019 02:10am
For Money dont encourage something like this, the situation will go beyond control.
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Feb 06, 2019 02:12am
Shame on him and the authorities who granted the permit. Such a beautiful animal killed for pleasure. There should be criminal proceedings against those involved
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Feb 06, 2019 02:13am
@Tariq, yes as a Pakistani in USA I can tell you that I am allowed to hunt animals with proper permits.
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Feb 06, 2019 02:29am
Such a majestic animal. It is a shame that it is allowed to be hunted at all.
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Feb 06, 2019 02:56am
This is actually really good, initiatives such as this make these animals a valuable commodity to care for. Resulting in sustained growth in wildlife.
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Feb 06, 2019 05:21am
markhor a persian word ?
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Feb 06, 2019 05:52am
I have a question for all those justifying the Killings of these Majestic, Magnificent Markhors under the pretext of "They were old and close to dying a natural death anyway" or how the earned funds are used for the betterment of the local community. Can you even for a moment imagine the Chinese(who you want to emulate) offering the same kind of trophy hunting on older Pandas? Or your neighbor India (a poorer than China country who you compare yourself to in most instances) offer similar trophy hunting under any pretexts of its older Gir Lions? Money is not everything, if they die a natural death so be it. We do not offer "Trophy hunting for a fee" on our old parents and relatives, do we?
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Feb 06, 2019 09:04am
@Logic, Why call it a trophy? Whats so great killing a mute & powerless animal and take a photo grinning end to end.
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Feb 06, 2019 09:28am
disturbing
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Feb 06, 2019 09:28am
Instead of killing an innocent animal, just shoot it with Stunning Gun, have a photograph, and release the animal to wild. Its like a Boxing or Wrestling bouts. The winners do not kill the opponents. Even the prized fishes are caught and relaesed to the sea or rivers.
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Feb 06, 2019 09:29am
@Tariq, yes of course you can. Because money is all that matters. If you got the funds you got the hunt and that's anywhere in the world.
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Feb 06, 2019 09:50am
@Anthony Tony Fernandes, Very well said. Having physically seen this beautiful animal on Chiltan moutain range near Quetta, one get spellbound by Markhor’s ( Persian meaning snake eater) magistic beauty. You are right because of such senseless killings with or without permits over the past decade, has drastically reduced numbers of this endangered species. The govt. must ban all such ongoing huntings forthwith and provide protection to few hundred of these Markhors left before they become extinct..
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Feb 06, 2019 10:05am
This money is going into the pockets of corrupt officials and not maintaining the wildlife. Absolutely horrible.
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Feb 06, 2019 10:55am
Should be a calculated one, rate of population increase must be much greater than the hunting permits allowed.
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Feb 06, 2019 11:05am
The animal looks magnificent. Why sell its life for 30 pieces of silver?
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Feb 06, 2019 11:38am
What was the crime of that poor animal that made it’s killing ok?
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Feb 06, 2019 11:49am
@marcus, Never heard, Japanese, Chinese, Scandaniveans, Brunai,.. etc cittzens killing wildlife after paying more money. They are much more richer than Average Americans, but know how to not to kill.
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Feb 06, 2019 12:13pm
This is really upsetting...
Are the people of GB given this permit fee ...?I mean royalty charges?
We need to conserve our rare species .
Foreigners come and hunt for fun...that's not fair.
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Feb 06, 2019 12:16pm
Its hurts and hurts..tragedy that happy in killing animals
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Feb 06, 2019 12:23pm
Markhor is not an endangered specie So licensed hunting should not bee seen as a problem.
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Feb 06, 2019 01:25pm
@Ajay, "Understand a poor villager poaching to keep alive." Which poor pays 100,000$ to keep himself alive?
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Feb 06, 2019 02:55pm
Government should be ashamed on selling hunting licenses for a near threatened species, national animal of Pakistan which is also present on the logo of one of our security agency.
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Feb 06, 2019 03:02pm
How many markhor hunting licenses are issued every year?
And what is the markhor population?
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Feb 06, 2019 03:32pm
Shameful.....
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Feb 06, 2019 03:50pm
The Indian government in any state will not allow anything like this even for a billion dollar.
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Feb 06, 2019 04:20pm
After comments need to clarify few things
1:: Trophy hunting 80% of the money goes to local community. now just because of that locals bread and butter is trophy hunting so that take the ownership of illegal pouching and help protecting illegal hunting.
2:: Trophy hunting does not reduces wild life rather it help increasing the population, lik ein this particular case population of Markhoor, how its bit technical and any one who needs to confirm can do their research. what happens is that permit are given and hunters are not allowed to kill smaller one, they can hunt just old ones reason being old animals are not fertile and also doesnt let younger one to mate and breed hence population decreases. people needs to understand this.trophy hunting is beneficial for wild life and also generates revenue for country and for locals.
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Feb 06, 2019 04:21pm
@Zeeshandxb, 80% to locals and 20% to government
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Feb 06, 2019 05:02pm
Killing an animal for fun, and we thought the dark ages were over
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Feb 06, 2019 06:10pm
VERY SAD. KILLING FOR PLEASURE
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Feb 06, 2019 06:24pm
Very Sad news!
We are sparing our wildlife for money :-(
What a pity
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Feb 06, 2019 06:35pm
@Zeeshandxb, As reported only 3% of this fee charged for trophy hunting distributed to the local community while remaining goes to the govt. or promoters of this ongoing undesirable and greedy business which will soon result in making this endangered species of such a beautiful animal to become extinct.
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Feb 06, 2019 07:30pm
what will we do when there are no more Markhor's. Will we change our national animal or tell our children that we sold them out?
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Feb 06, 2019 08:22pm
Is this supposed to be good news?
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Feb 06, 2019 09:37pm
@SkyHawk, "Is this Naya Pakistan?" No this is not Naya Pakistan it is an old practice which had the patronage of all successive governments
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Feb 06, 2019 10:09pm
Since it allowed by pti government so it's no issue although it would have been if allowed by NS governmenr
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Feb 07, 2019 12:33am
Shame on government to take blood money for killing a prized animal. Markhor is a national symbol and it is being killed for foreign exchange. Let Nawaz and Zardari buy out all the the Markhor licenses, without killing any,as they looted the nation.
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Feb 07, 2019 12:34am
@Khan, No killing. Full stop.
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Feb 07, 2019 12:36am
Each time a Markhor is killed, a candle should be lighted and put infront of PM and President house.
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Feb 07, 2019 12:55am
Good job, two thumbs up!
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Feb 07, 2019 01:47am
Disgusting
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Feb 07, 2019 01:49am
There are better ways to raise money than to kill the lands great wildlife
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Feb 07, 2019 03:25am
@atif khan, your comments makes no sense for being contrary to the ground realities. In accordance to IUCN’s red list of 2008, Kashmiri Markhor in northern areas has been declared as endangered species followed by another red list in 2012 for Sulieman Markhor near Quetta placing it in the endangered category too.
Since then continuous killing of these animal by trophy hunters and poachers through connivance of corrupt forest and wild life conservation departments in both provinces have brought the population of these beautiful animal alarmingly close to extinction.
While nothing is being paid to locals in Baluchistan area, Your assertion of 80% of the permit money distributed in KPK , is just speculation.
You are advised to please do your homework work before making superfluous comments which have no scientific backup or bearing and just invented figures to justify ongoing killings of a national asset which could be used for promotion of eco-tourism for local and foreign tourists.
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Feb 07, 2019 03:56am
Please, please a firm NO. An endangered species is a global heritage and it not wise to hunt them.
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Feb 07, 2019 04:32am
Are you serious , for money you are killing rare wildlife species ????????
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Feb 07, 2019 04:34am
Are you serious , for money you are killing rare wildlife species ?
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Feb 07, 2019 04:58am
Granted these US citizens paid a good amount of money to hunt the Markhors, but why is Pakistan allowing foreigners decimating it's wildlife?
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Feb 07, 2019 05:06am
@AhmadAG, Greed has no bounds.
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Feb 07, 2019 05:54am
So Sad
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Feb 07, 2019 07:39am
Such a beautiful animal killed for a trophy!!!!! Barbarians!!!!!
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Feb 07, 2019 07:55am
@Logic, ...Now that is a spin I haven't seen before. It can be said for hunting deer and some other animals, but markhor. Really!! tell that to the hunted. Nature has better ways of preserving itself than what these kind hunters are doing.
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Feb 07, 2019 09:01am
Where does the permit fee go?
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Feb 07, 2019 09:22am
@Zeeshandxb, good question. ideally they should go make into the community to help the species with conservation and protection ; it could/should also be going to improve park facilities etc; but again, that is an ideal scenario.
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Feb 07, 2019 09:37am
I am a Vegetarian, for me this is Barbaric act. Bryan Kinsel Harlan you should be ashamed of killing such a beautiful animal
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Feb 07, 2019 09:38am
@AbdulRahman, Breeding is not a factory
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Feb 07, 2019 10:00am
It is a Shame that Money comes first and these beautiful animals are being wiped out. Take a look and understand that all the wild beautiful animals go to making up the beauty and wealth of your country..
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Feb 07, 2019 10:31am
Does Pakistan allow National animal to be hunted & killed, i mean in India it is crime and punishable hefty fine & Jail term if National animal or bird are killed, even for that matter rare wild species are also protected in India. Hope u know case of Salman Khan where he hunted Black buck in Rajasthan, India.
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Feb 07, 2019 10:33am
@Zeeshandxb, Perhaps in rehabilitation for left over Markhors....
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Feb 07, 2019 11:12am
Well, for those who are saying that it's illegal to hunt an endangered specie kindly go & check the rules of legal hunting at national wild life website. & the money these hunters paid to the wild life department is for the conservation of these animals.
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Feb 07, 2019 11:12am
Our world belongs to all living creatures. Who are we to use our "intelligence" to exterminate other living species. Huge mistake, a mistake that can never be forgiven, should never have been made in the first place. This law of hunting for money should be reversed immediately. Markhor is a wonderful animal let the species thrive.
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Feb 07, 2019 11:23am
I wonder what else we are willing to sell for $$$?
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Feb 07, 2019 12:25pm
@Patriot, usually the targets are old & non breeding males.
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Feb 07, 2019 12:44pm
Humans should be ashamed to treat animals like this.
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Feb 07, 2019 12:55pm
make sure it is sustainable
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Feb 07, 2019 01:46pm
Breed and sell them for hunting - that way we preserve and earn money
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Feb 07, 2019 02:26pm
This should not be allowed, animals should not be killed. Not a good way to enhance tourism.
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Feb 07, 2019 02:27pm
Wonder who the animal is?
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Feb 07, 2019 02:41pm
@Amjad Durrani Engineer USA. , Sir you are welcome to visit and ask locals in northern areas. well Im part of it so i dont need to speculate something out of void from my side. I dont require home work, i am practically into it. People are being jailed for illegal hunting.its not easy. ground realities are not always what is being shown on tv in usa. peace
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Feb 07, 2019 02:54pm
sick
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Feb 07, 2019 03:00pm
Money can by all procedures and policies in Pak.
A hard fact.
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Feb 07, 2019 03:22pm
I do not understand some of the outrage in the comments. Please learn how such programs work. There are only a small number of permits (hence the hefty pricetag on the animal) given out per year. The animals to be hunted are old males who have already bred and thus, their genes have already been added to the gene pool (can tell by size of their horns). Even better, some of the funds collected are used in conservation efforts to protect the animal while others are directed into developing the local community which incentivises them to keep the species alive. And it's not just in Pakistan that such practices are employed: they have been quite effective in some conservation efforts in Africa, too. Kill a small number of individuals per year to pay for the conservation of the rest. Yes, it is disturbing, but it works. Markhor population has actually been on the rise in Pakistan.
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Feb 07, 2019 06:54pm
@UA, "I do not understand some of the outrage in the comments. Please learn how such programs work. " Most of the "outrage" is to follow a fashion, without knowing the actual facts. These people don't even know how trophies are awarded and what measures are taken into account. If the trophy is in display, it means that the rules were followed.
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