American Hunter Successfully Hunts Kashmir Markhor in Chitral
Chitral – Kyle Adam Miller, an American hunter, has successfully hunted a Kashmir Markhor in the Shoghore Wildlife Range of Chitral, local wildlife officials confirmed. The markhor, renowned for its majestic spiral horns, was recorded at a remarkable 45 inches in length.
The hunt, which took place under a legal and regulated permit system, marks a significant milestone as Miller was granted a non-exportable hunting permit – a first in the history of Chitral Gol National Park. The permit was obtained for $66,000, with a portion of the fee going toward local development and wildlife conservation efforts.
Miller selected a 9.5-year-old Markhor of trophy size, located within the national park’s buffer zone, near Shoghore on Garam Chashma Road. The hunt was reportedly completed with ease, as the animal was pursued and captured within a relatively short time frame.
Read More: Three Hunters Apprehended for Illegal Poaching of Rare Markhor
The Kashmir Markhor, a species native to Pakistan and the country’s national animal, is highly sought after for its striking appearance and rarity. However, such hunts are tightly regulated under Pakistan’s Community-Based Trophy Hunting Program, which seeks to promote both conservation and economic benefits for local communities.
A significant portion of the permit fees, including Miller’s $66,000 payment, is earmarked for the preservation of wildlife and local development projects. Local sources confirmed that the decision to allow non-exportable trophy hunting in the national park’s buffer zones was made last year, driven by requests from communities in the region.
As per the new regulations, hunters are prohibited from exporting the trophy (horns) of the hunted animals back to their home countries. This policy was introduced to prevent the over-exploitation of the species while ensuring that local communities directly benefit from the regulated hunts.
The Kashmir Markhor population in the Chitral Gol National Park has seen a significant increase in recent years, thanks to the ongoing conservation efforts. Local officials and wildlife advocates believe that regulated hunting, along with other conservation measures, will help ensure the continued survival of the species in the region.
