CHITRAL, Dec 10: A Russian national has hunted a Kashmir markhor in Gahirat Conservancy in Lower Chitral and an ibex in Golen valley as trophy hunting after securing permits from the local Wildlife Department.

The trophy hunting is the selective hunting of wild game animals.

Divisional Forest Officer at the local Wildlife Department Imtiaz Hussain told Dawn on Tuesday that Vladislau Reznik hunted the 38 inches long markhor in Gahirat Conservancy after paying $92,000.

He said the foreigner also hunted a Himalayan ibex at Golen Conservancy after securing hunting permit for $3,000.

Mr Hussain said the hunter was accompanied by translator Alexander Sharapon and photographer Rian Horn, while the local community watched the hunting to ensure that it was carried out in compliance with the relevant rules.

He said the hunter spent two days in Gahirat Conservancy looking for a hefty markhor.

“Mr Vladislau Reznik was found to be a consummate huntsman, who very skillfully fired a gunshot at the six-year-old markhor from a distant range,” he said, adding that the large-sized animals always preferred to stay at the inaccessible crests of hillocks and evaded inexperienced hunters.

The divisional forest officer said 80 per cent of the income accrued from the sale of hunting permits went to the local community, which used it for own development through the village conservation committees (VCCs).

He said the population of Kashmir markhor had increased considerably during the recent years in the district due to the VCCs’ efforts to conserve wildlife.