Astore Markhor (The Sanke Eater )

Astore Markhor: (The National Animals of Pakistan)

Ahbab Ullah Khan Qureshi

BS-V, Dept of FRWM,

KIU, Gilgit-Baltistan

Astore Markhor (Capra falconeri) is one of the largest and most magnificent members of the Caprinae or goat family and it is the official “National animals of Pakistan” it is belongs to the sub-family Caprinae of the Bovidae family. The word "Markhor" derives from a Persian meaning "snake eater." However, it is primarily believed that it derives from the Pashto words "Mar Akhkar," in which "Mar" means horn and "Akhkar" denotes snake. The Markhor is known as the "Mar Akhkar" because its horns resemble snakes; with time, it changed to Markhor (Robert, 1977).

According to reports, Pakistan is home to four different subspecies of Markhor: the Astor Markhor (Capra falconeri), Kashmir or Pir Panjal Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis), Kabul Markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros), and Suleiman Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni). Astor Markhor is a herbivorous (grass-eating) animal with (12 to 13) years of life span. The body length/size of the Astore Markhor is (140cm-180cm), the tail length is (8cm - 20cm), and boy weight (20 kg -80kg), and its conservation status is "Near threatened." Astore Markhor population status during lambing season in different conservation community is such that .Jutail sakwar conservancy 88 individuals, DMT 25, Skandarabad 25 ,Bunji 20 ,Doyan 9 , Talichi-Hudur 15 ,Tangir 19 ,Danyor-Jaglot guru 26,and Sassi Haramosh conservancy only 5 individuals were observed. And the population status of Astore Markhor during Rut season is 933 individuals in different conservation community. (Lambing and Rut season survey report 2020-2021).

Astore Marhkor's habitat is adapted to mountainous terrain and often consists of scrubby woodlands with a prevalence of Juniper (Juniperus macropoda), Oak (Quercus ilex), Pine (Pinus gerardiana), and other species. Early morning and late afternoon are prime times for the behavior; while it is a grazer in the spring and summer, it turns to browse for food in the winter. The distribution of Astore Markhor includes Skanderbad, Guro, Jutal, Rahimabad, Sultanabad, Danyore, Haramosh, Baghicha-khumra, Bunji, Doyan, and Dashkin conservation community. The range of this species is sparsely forested mountainous regions in the western Himalayas at an elevation of 600-3,600m.

Markhor is a gregarious creature that inhabits small herds of females, their offspring, yearlings, and young males. Only when the winter rust season begins in late December do mature males join the herds; otherwise, they live alone outside the herds. Though Markhor is a diurnal and crepuscular mammal, it can sometimes be seen occasionally foraging during the day in the winter. It rarely climbs up the Oak tree to browse, especially in the winter when the ground is either covered in snow or the herbaceous flora has dried out from the extreme cold. Seasons and availability affect food preferences. The female Markhor with straight horns reproduces at around three years, but the flare-horned Markhor female takes two years and gives birth after approximately six months of gestation.

Effective wildlife management strategy in many countries of Asia, Africa, and Europe that has resulted in a positive change in local people's attitudes towards wildlife and communities' active involvement in natural resource projects. One of the key successful initiatives is Trophy hunting, which discourages poaching, and the funds it generates are being used for conservation efforts and to improve the socio-economic condition of local communities.

Pakistan is a unique country with a wide variety of caprine species and is well known for conserving and protecting sheep and goats. Only Markhor, one of the twelve wild sheep and goat sub-species, is valued as a trophy by game hunters. The destruction of habitat caused by poaching, hunting pressure, increasing competition from domestic goats and sheep, and disease outbreaks from the increased contact with livestock ,and slow reproduction, and genetic isolation continue to negatively impact the Markhor population beyond the protected area,(National parks , wildlife sanctuaries ,Game Reserves, CCHAs), particularly in the community-managed conservation area .