GILGIT: Italian citizen Carlo Pasquale Capanini Bonomi hunted the highest-rated Astore Markhor in Skardu on Saturday.

The Italian hunter, 83, had paid 83,500 US dollars to the Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department for the trophy hunting.

According to a press release issued by the GB wildlife department on Saturday, it was the first hunt of Astore Markhor in this year’s trophy hunting season.

The Italian hunted his trophy in SKB community-controlled hunting area in Skardu.

The Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department had auctioned 124 permits for hunting of rare species, including markhor, for trophy hunting programme 2019-20.

Hunting permits for four Astor markhors were auctioned for $83,000, 20 blue sheep for $8,900 and 100 Himalayan ibex for Rs800,000.

Last year, licence for hunting Astor Markhor was auctioned for $100,000.

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

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2019