A Spanish trophy hunter has killed a second non-exportable Markhor in the Mulan Gol area of Chitral, sparking discussions about conservation, local benefits, and ethical hunting practices.
According to Chitral Gol National Park DFO Rizwanullah Yousafzai, Gervasio Negrete Franco, a Spanish hunter, successfully hunted a 45-inch Markhor under a legal hunting permit. The fee for the hunt was set at $42,500, which will be reinvested in local communities and conservation efforts.
Trophy Hunting in Pakistan: How It Works
Trophy hunting of Markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, is part of a regulated conservation program. Each year, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Wildlife Department issues a limited number of permits through an international auction system.
These permits allow hunters to legally hunt aged male Markhors, ensuring that only older, non-breeding individuals are taken while younger populations continue to grow. The money generated from these high-value hunts is distributed among local communities (80%) and wildlife conservation funds (20%).
How Much Does It Cost to Hunt a Markhor?
Hunting a Markhor in Pakistan is an exclusive and costly endeavor. The permit prices vary based on species and demand, often fetching between $80,000 and $150,000 in auctions.
However, in this case, Gervasio Negrete Franco paid $42,500 for the hunt, likely because this particular Markhor was classified as non-exportable, meaning its skin and horns cannot be taken out of the country.
Where Does the Money Go?
The KP Wildlife Department confirmed that the funds from trophy hunting are reinvested into local communities, helping to:
Support infrastructure projects (schools, healthcare, and roads)
Improve wildlife conservation in Chitral and surrounding areas
Fund anti-poaching initiatives to protect Markhor populations
The DFO reiterated that the Markhor’s skin and horns will remain the property of the KP government and the Wildlife Department to prevent illegal wildlife trade.
Markhor Conservation Efforts in Pakistan
Markhor was once on the brink of extinction, but Pakistan’s controlled trophy hunting program has successfully revived its population.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the Markhor’s status from Endangered to Near Threatened due to strict conservation efforts in Pakistan.
Wildlife officials believe that regulated hunting helps protect the species by:
Discouraging illegal poaching
Encouraging local communities to protect Markhor habitats
Generating funds for wildlife protection programs
Is Trophy Hunting Ethical? The Debate Continues
Despite its positive impact on conservation, trophy hunting remains a controversial topic. Some argue that killing an endangered species, even for conservation purposes, is unethical.
Wildlife activists believe there are better alternatives to funding conservation, such as:
Eco-tourism initiatives
Government-backed conservation projects
Wildlife sponsorship programs
However, proponents of regulated trophy hunting insist that local communities benefit directly from these funds, making it a necessary tool for conservation in remote regions.
Balancing Conservation and Hunting
The killing of the second non-exportable Markhor by a Spanish hunter once again highlights the complex debate surrounding trophy hunting in Pakistan.
While conservationists praise the program for its success, wildlife activists question whether killing an iconic species is ever justified.
As Pakistan continues to manage its Markhor population, the real challenge lies in finding sustainable ways to protect its wildlife while benefiting local communities—with or without trophy hunting.