Killing of markhor in Chitral triggers concerns

CHITRAL: The killing of the endangered markhor by unidentified hunters in the Chitral Gol National Park a few days back has triggered concerns in the valley.

Though the hunters managed to escape after killing the animal in the Birmoghlasht, the famous habitat of endangered markhor, the Wildlife Department officials registered a case against ‘unknown’ persons.

However, neither the Wildlife Department officials nor the community members were ready to come in the open as the hunters were reported to be influential. Locals said some Urdu-speaking people hunted the markhor at night and shifted it to their residence in a vehicle.

As the markhors are endangered species, the local people in collaboration with the Wildlife Department have formed community bodies to protect them.

However, the hunting of markhor was allowed through legal process. The annual trophy hunting competition had concluded recently. The money earned through the trophy is distributed among the community members.An official of the Wildlife Department said the hunted markhor was worth over Rs9 million.