DOES TROPHY HUNTING OF KASHMIR MARKHOR REALLY CONTRIBUTING IN ITS CONSERVATION?

Markhor Capra falconeri, the national animal of Pakistan, is globally recognized as endangered. The current study was conducted to find the population size, structure and the contribution of trophy hunting in conservation and development of Kashmir Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis) in Kiagah valley Kohistan. Point count method was used to collect data during February 2016 and 2018. The population recorded was 213 and 291 individuals in 2016 and 2018 respectively. Out of 213 individuals, 12 were adult male, 57 were female, while Young males (between age of 3 to 7 years) were 28, Yearlings (both male and female between 1 to 3 year) were 59, Kids (less than 1 year) were 33 and 40 were unknown (Markhor could not be classified by age and sex). The total density/Km² area in 2016 was 4.438 individuals/km² and average sex and age wise ratios; male to female ratio (M*: F**) was 1:4.75 and kids to female (K*****: F**) ratio was 1:1.727. While out of 291 individuals, 19 were adult male, 95 were female, while Yong males (between age of 3 to 7 years) were 51, Yearlings (both male and female between 1 to 3 year) were 64, kids (less than 1 year) were 50 and 12 were unknown (Markhor could not be classified by age and sex) individuals. The total density/Km2 area in 2018 was 6.063 individuals/km2 and Average sex and age wise ratios; male to female ratio (M*: F**) was 1:5 and kids to female (K*****: F**) ratio was 1:1.9. Study concluded that community-based trophy hunting program has helped much in improving the conservation and management of Markhor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]