Markhor – largest of wild goat species native to Central Asia, Karakoram and the Himalayas
Baku, September 10, AZERTAC
Pakistan is well-known for its markhor, which is distinguished by its nimble and sure-footed nature, as well as its long winter coat and massive spiral horns that can reach more than 1.5m (150 inches) in length on males.
Markhor, (Capra falconeri), large wild goat of the family Bovidae, formerly found throughout the mountains from Kashmir to Afghanistan but now greatly reduced in population and range.
According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the flare-horned markhor (C. f. falconeri) occurs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India; the straight-horned markhor (C. f. megaceros) lives in Afghanistan and Pakistan; and the Bukharan markhor (C. f. heptneri) is present in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
All subspecies are considered endangered to critically endangered. Habitat loss, overhunting for meat and trophies, and competition from livestock are the main causes of its decline.
The markhor stands about 95-102 cm (37-40 inches) at the shoulder and has long (up to 160 cm [63 inches]) corkscrew-shaped horns.
Its coat is reddish brown in summer and long, gray, and silky in winter. The male has a long, heavy fringe on its throat and chest.
Markhor was listed as an endangered species by the IUCN in 1994 due to overhunting for meat and horns, and its population number was estimated to be less than 2,500 at the time. However, according to the most recent government data, there are between 5,000 and 6,000 wild goats.
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