![\"Locals](\"https:\/\/www.geo.tv\/assets\/uploads\/updates\/2026-01-14\/645105_4426047_updates.jpg\")
An American trophy hunter has successfully hunted a Kashmir Markhor in the Shasha-Thoshi Community Managed Game Reserve in Chitral under the supervision of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department.<\/p>\n
In a press release, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Chitral Farooq Nabi said the hunt was carried out in the Thoshi Shasha Conservancy strictly in line with national and international trophy hunting regulations. <\/p>\n
According to the official, the hunter obtained the legal permit through an international bidding process by offering $270,000, equivalent to approximately Rs756 million. <\/p>\n
He said the amount reflected the global significance of the Kashmir Markhor and highlighted the success of Pakistan\u2019s conservation-based trophy hunting programme, which has turned wildlife protection into a sustainable livelihood source for local communities.<\/p>\n
The American hunter, who chose to remain anonymous, hunted a Markhor with 52-inch horns from a distance of around 510 metres, demonstrating adherence to ethical hunting standards, Nabi added.<\/p>\n
Wildlife Department officials remained present throughout the process to ensure transparency, compliance with the approved permit, and adherence to conservation protocols, the press release stated. <\/p>\n
He further said that 80% of the trophy hunting revenue would be allocated directly to community welfare and development projects, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and conservation-related livelihoods. <\/p>\n
The revenue-sharing model, he noted, had played a key role in promoting community ownership, curbing illegal hunting, and protecting endangered species.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Kashmir Markhor is not merely a trophy; it is a symbol of conservation success,\u201d Nabi said, adding that regulated trophy hunting ensured the survival of the species while improving socio-economic conditions for local communities.<\/p>\n
The Kashmir Markhor, Pakistan\u2019s national animal, is listed globally as a near-threatened species, while community-managed conservation initiatives in Chitral have been recognised for reversing population decline and strengthening wildlife protection.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n