A Russian national has hunted a rare Kashmiri markhor in Chitral after obtaining an official trophy hunting permit valued at $68,000, wildlife officials confirmed on Thursday. The hunt was conducted in the Gahirat Gol Game Reserve under strict supervision by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department.
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According to officials, the markhor had impressive, spiralling horns measuring approximately 41 inches, making it a prized trophy under the regulated hunting programme. The hunter secured the permit after paying the full fee, equivalent to around Rs19.08 million, in line with government regulations.
Authorities said the hunt was carried out in the presence of wildlife officials, police personnel, and representatives of local Village Conservation Committees (VCCs). Their presence was aimed at ensuring transparency, adherence to legal procedures, and compliance with conservation rules during the activity.
A Russian hunter, Zaid Andery, has successfully hunted a Kashmir Markhor with a horn length of 41 inches in the Gahrait Gol area of #Chitral, officials confirmed.
The hunting permit for the trophy was issued at a cost of USD 68,000 as part of #Pakistan’s regulated trophy hunting… pic.twitter.com/1ZrZ0zna81
— Ibex Media Network (@IbexMedianetwrk) December 31, 2025
The hunt falls under the Community-Based Trophy Hunting Programme, a long-standing initiative designed to balance wildlife conservation with local economic development. Under the programme, a significant portion of the revenue generated from trophy permits is allocated to local communities living near game reserves.
Wildlife officials explained that these funds are used for community welfare projects, habitat protection, and conservation activities, creating incentives for locals to protect endangered species rather than engage in illegal hunting. The programme has been credited with helping stabilise and, in some areas, increase markhor populations over the years.
The Kashmiri markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, is listed as a protected species, and only a limited number of permits are issued annually based on population surveys and scientific assessments. Officials emphasised that trophy hunting quotas are set carefully to ensure sustainability.
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The development comes amid growing public interest in the markhor’s symbolic value. Earlier this month, a large sculpture of the national animal was installed at Bata Kundi in Kaghan Valley to highlight its cultural and ecological importance and promote conservation awareness among tourists and locals alike.