An American hunter paid a record 750 million rupees for a Markhor hunt in Chitral, marking the first trophy hunt of 2024. The 11-year-old Markhor, with 49.5-inch horns, was hunted in the Toshi-Shasha community-managed game reserve in northern Pakistan.
Ronald Joe Whitton secured a hunting permit from the KP Wildlife Department for $271,000. He used an automatic rifle at close range, assisted by local community members and wildlife staff due to the reserve’s proximity to the road.
Read more: Markhor Hunting Auction Sets New Record at $212,000
The next hunt is set to be priced similarly, with a third scheduled for March at a lower cost. 80% of the permit fees go to the local community for conservation efforts. The auction for the hunting season began in October, with two Markhor permits sold for $271,000.
Pakistan supports Markhor conservation, its national animal, with increased population numbers due to successful efforts, though threats like illegal hunting and habitat loss persist.
