THE cruel practice of trophy hunting is continuing unabated in our beautiful country. The killing of the majestic markhor saddens many of us who cherish wildlife. How can we justify taking the life of such a rare and magnificent creature simply for sport? These animals belong to the mountains. Their presence in the wild is far more valuable than any price a hunter is willing to pay.

Supporters of trophy hunting argue that it helps conservation, but how can we save wildlife by killing it? The fee collected from these hunts does not justify the loss of a precious life. Every markhor, ibex and snow leopard plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, maintaining nature’s balance.

Trophy hunting threatens the survival of the species, and also disrupts the entire food chain. When dominant males are killed, their social structure collapses, leading to weaker genetic diversity and long-term harm to the species. Their numbers are already declining due to habitat loss and climate change. Why can we not eliminate hunters from the list of dangers to the species?

It is heart-breaking to see a nation so rich in natural beauty become a playground for wealthy hunters. These so-called conservation efforts have turned Pakistan into a business where the life of rare animals is auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Killing animals for sport sends the wrong message, encouraging poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Instead of allowing foreigners to shoot our national treasure, we should promote responsible eco-tourism, where people admire these creatures alive in their natural habitats. Countries like Costa Rica have banned hunting and now thrive on wildlife tourism. Pakistan can do the same.

The government and wildlife authorities should take a stand. They should ban trophy hunting before we lose more of our precious wildlife.

Let us teach our children to respect and protect nature, not to destroy it for sport. The markhor and other endangered species deserve to live, just like we do.

Ubaid Sahil
Bahrain, Swat

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025