New Delhi: A male markhor, the national animal of Pakistan, has been rescued by wildlife authorities in India after it strayed into the Noorkhah village near Baramulla in north Kashmir. Notably, the village is located close to the Kazinag National Park and the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and the village is a natural habitat of the species.
The locals alerted the wildlife officials after the markhor was seen in the village. The injured animal was promptly rescued and treated. According to the officials, due to the ongoing breeding season, the markhor possibly wandered into the area. Also, the goat might have crossed over from Pakistan. According to estimates, around 300 markhors live in the dense pine and birch forest of Kashmir.
Markhor: The animal which is Near Threatened
The markhor is a wild goat species native to South Asia and Central Asia, mainly within Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan, the Himalayas and the Karakoram range. Since 2015, it is listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened since 2015.
How do the markhors look?
The length of the markhors are 132 to 186 centimetres and its weight varies from 32 to 110 kilograms. The colour of the coat ranges from light brown to black colour. The fur of the lower legs is black and white. The male markhors have longer hair on the chin, throat, chest and shanks. The colour of the females are more red, and have shorter hair without any mane. Both sexes have tightly curled horns which look like corkscrew as they close together at the head, but spread upwards toward the tips.
Do they really eat snake?
No. The name markhor comes from both Pashto and classical Persian languages and it means “snake-eater”. The name refers to the ancient belief that the markhor would actively kill and consume snakes. The myth possibly came from the male markhor’s horns whose shapes is like that of a snake, twisting and curling and it possibly led ancient peoples to associate them with snakes.
Where are markhors found?
The markhor is an endangered species which is found in the mountain regions of Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. In Jammu and Kashmir, its is found in areas Shopian, Shamsbari, the Kazinag Uri, the Banihal Pass, and the Pir Panjal range to Poonch.
What are the threats markhors are facing?
Hunting and poaching are the the most important factors threatening the survival of the markhor populations. Poaching causes fragmentation of the population pushing them towards extinction. The markhor is a valued trophy hunting prize for its spiral horns. Since 2015, it is listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened. In India, it is a fully protected (Schedule I) species under Jammu and Kashmir’s Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1978. Preservation of the animal is going on under the Kashmir Markhor Recovery Project. There is a national park for the markhors and along with the extension of the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary and the Tattakuti Sanctuary. Recognising the importance of markhors, on May 2, 2024, the UN General Assembly has declared May 24 as the International Day of the Markhor.
A male markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, was rescued in Kashmir after straying into a village near the Line of Control. The injured animal, possibly disoriented due to breeding season, received treatment. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
