National Animal of Pakistan

Markhor is the National Animal of Pakistan

 

The Markhor (Capra Falconeri Falconeri) mainly inhabits the sparsely wooded mountainous regions in Northern and Western Pakistan, at an elevation of 600-3,600 m / 1,900-11,500 ft. The total world population is mainly found in Pakistan. Today, Markhor are present in around 20 of Pakistan's protected areas. In the northern mountainous regions is found the Kashmir and Astor Markhor. The Kashmir Markhor (C. f. cashmirensis ) is mainly confined to Chitral Gol National Park and presents the biggest population in Pakistan.

Markhor

 The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan, Pakistan in (Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza-Nagar Valley, northern and central Pakistan, and Kashmir), southern Tajikistan and southern Uzbekistan. The species is classed by the IUCN as Endangered, as there are less than 2,500 mature individuals which continued to decline by an estimated 20% over 2 generations.^[1] The Markhor is the National Animal of Pakistan.

SOME FACTS ABOUT MARKHOR

You really can’t miss the Markhor since they are one unique looking goat.  Besides the long furry coat the Markhor also has unusual horns.  The spiraled horns of the male can grow as long as 1.5 m (4.9′).  Meanwhile the horns of the female are not nearly as impressive as they typically grow to about 50 cm (1.9′).  Personally, I would have been impressed with the 2 foot horns on the female if it weren’t for the 5 foot long male horns.

Typically these goats can be found on the mountains ranging anywhere from 600 -3600 m above sea level.  In case anyone is unsure just how high that is I will try to clear it up for you.  That is really really high!  For my non-metric friends to the south, it is just under 12 000 feet.  So what the heck to these animals eat all the way up there?  Well, like most goats they graze on grasses and shrubs.  They just happen to be a very important part of the ecosystem since they are constantly transferring the seeds around the mountain.  You would think that a life on the edges of cliffs would be pretty safe.  Unfortunately this is not the case as the Markhor still have several predators including wolves, lynx and snowy leopards.  Is nowhere safe anymore?