ISLAMABAD – An American hunter has successfully hunted a rare Markhor in Chitral, Pakistan, paying a staggering Rs7.56 crore for the government-approved permit. The hunt, conducted under strict supervision by wildlife authorities, attracted nationwide attention due to the animal’s rarity and the massive fee involved.
According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, the hunt followed Pakistan’s trophy hunting regulations. The American hunter paid approximately $270,000 (Rs7.56 crore) for the official permit, making it one of the most expensive wildlife hunts in the country. The hunter’s identity has been kept confidential at their request.
The prized Markhor, known for its majestic 52-inch spiral horns, was shot from a distance of 510 metres. Authorities highlighted that the hunt was fully legal and part of Pakistan’s regulated trophy hunting program. They emphasized that 80 percent of the revenue will be directed toward community development and welfare projects, while the remaining funds will support wildlife conservation efforts.
Wildlife experts say regulated Markhor hunts help local communities and contribute to species protection. The controlled program ensures that hunting does not threaten the overall population, while also providing funds for anti-poaching and habitat preservation initiatives.
The event has again brought Pakistan’s trophy hunting program into the spotlight, combining controversy, conservation, and substantial revenue. Officials maintain that such high-profile hunts, when managed carefully, create incentives for locals to protect endangered species like the Markhor.
This hunt demonstrates the balance between wildlife conservation and sustainable trophy hunting in Pakistan, showing how regulated programs can fund community projects while safeguarding rare species.
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The Markhor remains a symbol of Pakistan’s natural heritage and a centerpiece of legal wildlife hunting programs.
