THE ibex (markhor) is the national animal of Pakistan. It is on the list of endangered animals. As a rule it is illegal to hunt markhor in Pakistan except under the trophy scheme.

In this scheme, a good sum of money is paid by the hunter and a permit is given to them to hunt a trophy. Four hunting licences are issued every year and it is informed by the wildlife department that 80 per cent of the money is distributed among the local community and 20 per cent is kept by the wildlife department. This season, four markhor were hunted, all by American hunters.

The markhor has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years in the wild. In my opinion hunting four markhor each season will make them become extinct.

The federal government and provincial wildlife departments need to change their trophy policy and reduce the number of permits issued, taking more measures to protect Pakistan’s national animal.

Sayed Tassaduque Hussain

Shikarpur

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2019