MARKHOR, a unique goat with unusual horns which sometimes are five feet long, also known as Margoumi in local language, faces a threat.

It is found in a few areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. It is being mercilessly annihilated by not only natural predators but also by rich hunters.

Local people hear gunshots and find dead markhors. This has reduced the number of this animal to less than 2,500. It has been officially declared as an endangered specie.

Despite this, the issue is still not being considered seriously by the government.

Muhammad Arsalan

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 29th , 2014