Another US citizen hunts highest-rated Astore Markhor
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GILGIT: A fourth American hunted this season’s highest-rated Astore Markhor the other day, paying a whopping 100,000 US dollars as permit fee to the wildlife department.
According to a press release issued by the GB wildlife and parks department on Saturday, James Hascup hunted markhor in Doya wildlife conservation area.
This was the last permit of Astore markhor hunt in the region while the trophy hunting of blue sheep and ibex will continue till end of this month.
Speaking at a ceremony in Doya Astore, the American hunter said it was his dream to hunt markhor. I have been to Pakistan for quite some time and I enjoyed a lot here as people are wonderful, he added.
GB secretary forest and wildlife Asifullah Khan, conservator parks and wildlife Mahmood Ghazanvi and wildlife conservation and development committee members were also in attendance.
On Feb 4, American citizen Bryan Kinsel Harlan hunted a flared-horned markhor from Sassi-Harmosh community conservation area at a cost of 110,000 US dollars.
On Jan 21, another US citizen Dianda Christopher Anthony hunted the highest-rated Astore Markhor after paying 105,000 US dollars. On Jan 16, yet another American, John Amistoso, hunted the Astore Markhor in the community-controlled Bunji area of Gilgit, paying 100,000 US dollars permit fee.
In October last year, GB wildlife department issued licences for trophy hunting, including four Astore Markhors, 14 blue sheep and 95 ibexes for the hunting season of 2018-19.
Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2019
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On DawnNews
Comments (123) Closed
Mar 17, 2019 10:17am
A tragic waste of something so magnificent... Shame
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Mar 17, 2019 10:18am
Stop this nonsense of taking money for getting our animals killed!!! The government needs to take notice and halt this!!!
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Mar 17, 2019 10:25am
In India we don't allow the animals to be hunted legally. There are better ways of earning money.
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Mar 17, 2019 10:28am
Please do not take blood money to have pakistani animals hunted. In ‘riasat e madina’, even the animals were protected. They too have rights. The foundations of ‘madina’ state shoukd start with the lowest of society, which are the animals.
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Mar 17, 2019 12:01pm
Please Save markhor..
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Mar 17, 2019 12:22pm
Is the financial situation of Pakistan so bad that it has to allow foreigners shoot its beautiful wildlife for money?
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Mar 17, 2019 12:31pm
This is intellectual bankruptcy of Hunter taking pride in killing defenceless animals and similar psychosis on part of forest department to allow such thing to happen at this point of human civilization.
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Mar 17, 2019 12:42pm
Pay the money and kill our national animal our pride Markhor. Very sad.
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Mar 17, 2019 12:49pm
This is a shame! This hunting should stop!
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Mar 17, 2019 12:52pm
Endangered species as these should be protected at all cost. The GOP shouldn't defame and delude itself with greed.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:04pm
I dont what you guys are thinking about. The animal they release for hunting are already on the verge of death it wont dwindle the total population ni matter what. If through hunting almost dead the local community will earn some money then whats wrong with that.
@zak even in madinah sick or dying animal were put to death
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Mar 17, 2019 01:17pm
What the hell is happening in Pakistan? No one has controls on anything! Is there a government in place?
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Mar 17, 2019 01:24pm
Please preserve our mighty Markhors.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:31pm
I think controlled hunting has some benefits as it helps create desperately needed funds which are often used in conservation projects. The animals hunted are usually fully fledged and nearing the end of their fertilty so no real damage is done to the heard. I bet more than 4 are killed every year in the wild by the leopards etc. What needs to be contained is the illigal hunting trade, thats where the real danger is.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:38pm
Makes one sick. Must stop immediately.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:41pm
The truth is always much more complex than simple statements. We need to look at Markhor Hunting holistically and not focus on individual markhors. First, only aging and ill Markhors are permitted to be hunted. Secondly, the fee from these licenses is used to protect, conserve and care for the rest of the young, breeding Markhor population.
It is a win-win situation.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:44pm
@Shubham Chakraborty(India) , Calm down, its not greed. Its a transaction. Only aged and ill Markhors are allowed to be hunted. The fee from such licenses is used to conserve the young population.
Everything is not black and white.
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Mar 17, 2019 01:55pm
Congratulations, US hunter James Hascup !
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Mar 17, 2019 02:09pm
@Rs, so the rangers point out the ill and the aged animals to the foreign hunter to shoot down!
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Mar 17, 2019 02:28pm
Tabdeeli... naya pakistan...
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Mar 17, 2019 02:32pm
The pti govt claims that they want to bring eco friendly laws and plant tree! Don’t they realize that these naturally existing animals are also part of the ecology! They are just planning on planting trees and ignoring that the wildlife existing in these plains create a more important balance for sustainable environment and ecology! This is extremely wrong. We are still selling our culture and heritage for a few US dollars!
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Mar 17, 2019 02:36pm
@Rs, so you are saying that an aged animal does not deserve the natural
Death as ordained by nature. It instead needs to die in gruesome manner and while at it we should make a quick buck. How interesting. Our moral judgements are disintegrating at such an alarming rate.
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Mar 17, 2019 02:46pm
Generally people are not aware that this hunting campaign is to PROTECT this majestic animal. Prior to these licenses villagers were killing this animal ruthlessly, then this hunting license program launched somewhere in nineties. The money earned through these licenses are given back to the community to be used in local development programs. This is in exchange of guarantee from the villagers to protect the animal. As a result the animal count is exponentially increasing every year now.
Please read the following article to understand the creative approach introduced by the government of Pakistan to save this endangered species; the outcome is very encouraging.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1464012
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Mar 17, 2019 02:51pm
That hunting should be STOP
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Mar 17, 2019 02:57pm
@Rs, Do you have any old people at home? Even old animals deserve peaceful death.
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Mar 17, 2019 03:04pm
@Rs, Wow. Well, why not try to kill the animal with bare hands? Let's see how many hunters hunt. Killing with a gun is so easy, kids could do it.
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Mar 17, 2019 03:30pm
@Rs, when the old ones are absent the big cats in the predatory chain will attack young ones. We had a problem with declining vulture population and the results were astounding how for very small reasons what suffers
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Mar 17, 2019 03:39pm
If the earned money is spent on more production of Markhor then no harm.
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Mar 17, 2019 03:55pm
As long as we have an income coming in it’s fine to promote this hunting
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Mar 17, 2019 04:00pm
And in India we are spending billions of dollars to save tigers.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:01pm
Never seen this kind of news .. .. a country killing their national animal for Foreign investment!! !! .. hope future will good for both parties!!
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Mar 17, 2019 04:05pm
@Gordon D. Walker, Dear, it's a wonderful program. For one animal killed they raise 10 others at the cost of license. The population of these animals have increased manifold since inception of this program
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Mar 17, 2019 04:08pm
@BK, stop it??? The government is the one taking the money!
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Mar 17, 2019 04:12pm
Money that needed.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:13pm
@Khalil UK, how can there be ‘controlled’ hunting of an animal that is already endangered.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:14pm
There is nothing better than trophy hunting, it stops illegal hunting, job oppertunities to local pochers,and protection to the hunted animals in a confined space
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Mar 17, 2019 04:15pm
@Rs, in this win win... do they verify the CNIC of the markhor before they shoot it down.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:17pm
@Rs, why is the government using you to explain this to us, the public.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:19pm
@Hassan, look at the picture. That animal looks sound and healthy before it was killed.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:21pm
Mr Gordon and Bk, Markhor was an endangered species a decade ago. Govt of Pakistan introduced this trophy and announced that 85% of the trophy money would go to the development of local community. After this initiative the locals took care and stopped hunting the markhor themselves. Thus the population has since risen and it is not an endangered species anymore. The local community does not let one who doesnt have the licence to hunt it. I think the govt initiative is commendable.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:32pm
Great, for the right price, we can sell anything, Shame on the Govt. for letting this continue.
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Mar 17, 2019 04:54pm
@Hassan, you can judge a civilisation based on how they treat animals.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:04pm
When this insanity would be stopped by the government. It seems government needs dollars by any means.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:08pm
@Shabir, perfect
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Mar 17, 2019 05:18pm
@SNM, Thank you!!! Finally someone knows what they are talking about
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Mar 17, 2019 05:18pm
What a shame, killing an innocent, defenceless animal.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:20pm
@Shabir, so we should stop slaughtering animals for food as well. Oh is that a way of life elewhere.
The locals hunt and kill these animals which makes them endangered species. The money for hunt program helps the locals and the wildlife.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:33pm
There are some sectors like manufacturing, trading, services industry etc by which nations can earn living & prosper. Killings (animals/humans) for earning a living is abandoned by the civilized societies long back. What is wrong with this part of the world?
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Mar 17, 2019 05:36pm
Although not a big fan of trophy hunting, however, given it was done legally and it’s not an endangered animal, I’m okay with it. It’s a pretty chuck of change for the wildlife department to use.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:43pm
This is a great way to boast money for locals :)
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Mar 17, 2019 05:48pm
If you have money, One can do anything. Shame !!!!!!
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Mar 17, 2019 05:51pm
Have we lost our mind taking money to kill a protected species in the false premise that the money is used to protect this animal? I wonder how the Americans would feel if we hunted their national bald eagle.
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Mar 17, 2019 05:59pm
How much of these trophy money benefits the locals and how much end up in senior party officer's pocket.
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Mar 17, 2019 06:29pm
@M. Emad, yes. he is next coming to Sunderban for tiger hunting.
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Mar 17, 2019 06:42pm
Glory of wealth at the expense of this poor animal. Who is in need of that blood money? You are the judge!
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Mar 17, 2019 06:58pm
How killing innocent animals for fun became legal in the Islamic Republic?
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Mar 17, 2019 06:58pm
I think it should be raised to one million dollar; next year.
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Mar 17, 2019 07:02pm
@Shabir, jenab, how many animals so for u have roasted for ur taste buds. Calm down. I know beef raoste is giving u some kind of kick inside. Don't sail the boat everyone is sailing. Watch and think
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Mar 17, 2019 07:04pm
@Rs, A very bad excuse!!!
Killing aged animals is illegal even for those species who are designated as "permissible to eat".
Even if we have to kill the animals that have a disease which is dangerous to humans or other healthy animals, hunting them this way is barbaric and in no way be labelled as "legal"...
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Mar 17, 2019 07:12pm
@Lost cause, like computer scams?
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Mar 17, 2019 07:57pm
This is the difference between you and us ... In India there may be unlawful huntings but not a sparrow is allowed to be killed for money .....…......
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Mar 17, 2019 07:58pm
@Masood imran, Good point I agree. People just emotional on comments fronts in actual they do nothing .
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Mar 17, 2019 08:32pm
These beautiful animals are fast becoming extinct. We must protect them at all cost. Please stop!!
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Mar 17, 2019 08:35pm
surely a rare animal like a markhor is worth more than 100,000 dollars. Increase it to 25 million dollars at least.
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Mar 17, 2019 09:18pm
How hunting & killing of innocent animals wildlife can be glorified by paying ..
Its possible in pakistan I guess .. what a shame
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Mar 17, 2019 09:26pm
Declared as endangered species in 2008 by IUCN, this flared horn Astore Markhor( Capra Falconeri), most magnificent member of goat family, as reported lately by Wildlife Conservation Society, is under threat of extinction in an area across Tungas village with Gunkuch being its western limits upto Gilgit river valley. This Markhor being critical to the landscape, both as one of the few wild prey item in this range for large carnivores such as wolf and snow leopard & as a cultural icon both locally & nationally, has its recorded decline in population by 50% during 1970-2000, & further has rapid decline in numbers, leaving a small surviving population due significant poaching & trophy hunting.
Keeping in view the above, one feels sad to see purposeful destruction of our ecosystem allowing these organized trophy hunting of this endangered specifies by those required to protect such national assets. The federal govt. must stop this ongoing destruction of our ecosystem for money immediately
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Mar 17, 2019 10:02pm
@Maria enteparia onnuchoriu, A very pertinent question in a country having ramping corruption as order of the day in all ranks and file of officialdom. Stop kidding, come on, You know the answer yourself very well.
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Mar 17, 2019 11:17pm
Trophy hunting is help with preservation. population of Markhor has soared because animals are protected by local for unauthorized hunting. locals get the share of the hunt money. earlier they used to hunt them just for food now they don't. Keyboard warriors you need to see big before typing illogically
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Mar 17, 2019 11:26pm
Permitting hunting of this rare species of Markhoor should be a matter of shame for IK government.
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Mar 18, 2019 02:31am
First they killed all their Bison now they are after out Markhor....
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Mar 18, 2019 03:27am
why the government is not taking action because he is USA citizen?
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Mar 18, 2019 04:57am
is this for real? you are allowing people to kill an innocent animal for game hunting?
shame on you. i hope someone in pakistan takes a petition in the SC to stop this and PM please take notice of this !
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Mar 18, 2019 07:31am
Shame on government for this shame full way of earing money.
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Mar 18, 2019 07:34am
@Hassan, What a shame!
How on earth, you know which animal is on the verge of death?
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Mar 18, 2019 09:32am
Pity the poor Astore Markhor. What price its life? Merely a hundred and ten thousand dollars?
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Mar 18, 2019 11:05am
This is so disgusting that we are allowing foreigners to hunt our national animal with permits.. Where is the animal rights groups here?
I am deeply saddened to see that people can hunt animals just for fun & trophies !!!
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Mar 18, 2019 03:23pm
@Rs, Good. Do we see the medical report before of after the animal is killed?
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Mar 18, 2019 03:46pm
What a shame. Feel proud by hunting harmless animals..Bravo!!
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Mar 18, 2019 04:09pm
@SNM, there are many more ways to stop the killing of such majestic animals. People will start killing other animals too then what will you do. People should be taught to respect their biodiversity.
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Mar 18, 2019 04:12pm
@WG, one gets infuriated by such ignorant superficial comments. You are advised to read IUCN report of 2008 declaring Astore Markhor in Pakistan to be endangered species, also supported by WCS latest findings reporting its rapid decline caused by poaching & such trophy huntings bringing it close to extinction. It is also widely known that 80% of the trophy money is kept back by the forest & wildlife department & its so called distribution among local is a fallacy.
During preparation of Tourism Master Plan for Pakistan, our UNDP team while visiting a local elite school in Islamabad was shocked to listen to a question by a student who after watching of a video on exotic birds in our northern areas, asking us that if these birds are Halal or not? This clearly shows where are we heading? You cannot blame those 87 millions illiterates living in such areas scavanging for food by killing these beautiful animals, thus making them extinct. We must protect our natural assets at any cost.
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Mar 18, 2019 04:21pm
The irony in this is the Makhor is the national animal of Pakistan - and an american is paying to kill the national animal of pakistan.
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Mar 18, 2019 04:24pm
Hello Mr PM, are you reading this? Now explain to us how your government is different than the previous ones?
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Mar 18, 2019 04:25pm
@BK, The animals don’t belong to “US” They migrate, so they belong to Mother Earth, not you. Their existence needs to be preserved
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Mar 18, 2019 04:30pm
Why are you killing innocent animals, they are harmless, if you are really brave, hunt without weapon or tools. In India hunting an animal is illegal ..
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Mar 18, 2019 04:47pm
@Lost cause, very commendable of India.
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Mar 18, 2019 04:58pm
I wonder if executives in the wildlife department receive tips. We assume the wildlife department's job is too protect wildlife.
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Mar 18, 2019 05:01pm
@Ashraf Gilani, ... Those in the wildlife department are no doubt personally profiting.
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Mar 18, 2019 05:03pm
Horrible culture. Pay fee and you can kill!!!
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Mar 18, 2019 05:09pm
@VINIT, .......... Good point.
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Mar 18, 2019 05:09pm
Markhor is not an endangered species.In fact, during the past few years, its population has increased.
This step of granting a hunting permit with a fee (USD 100,000), is a step towards conserving the numbers, as the fee goes towards financing of salaries of locals who watch the numbers of markhors, This is not it, a portion of the fees also goes to fund micro-development (such as soft, interest-free loans) for the local community, plus, earning Pakistan, much needed FDI.
A markhor may be hunted to feed a family. This initiative not just feeds a family, but does much more: Feeding a community, as well as fueling growth and development, as well as conserving a species. Although, hopefully, the status of the Markhor is upgraded to 'Least Concern'; at the moment it is 'Not Threatened'.
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Mar 18, 2019 05:17pm
Allowing to hunt our national animal for money. That's a shame...
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Mar 18, 2019 05:54pm
Oh by the way opening up government sanctioned brothels would raise revenues too and part of the money earned can be reserved for the protection of the health of other women. Another win : win opportunity, wouldn't you say? Jump on it Pakistan.
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Mar 18, 2019 06:44pm
Learn from Neighbors, You can not kill a simple deer legally (Although you may have billions)
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Mar 18, 2019 07:24pm
Well India is at the other extreme. People don't allow culling of stray dogs too which is crazy. No civilized country allows stray dogs to roam around. Similarly no civilized country must allow hunting majestic wild animals in exchange for money
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Mar 18, 2019 08:04pm
@aman, "why the government is not taking action because he is USA citizen?"
he's paid the fees. If you are ready to pay, you can kill anything..anyone!!!
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Mar 18, 2019 08:55pm
Are we the only country in the world that allows killing of our national animal?
The GB wildlife and parks department, as well as other departments across the country, need to encourage eco-tourism for bringing in the same amount of money to these backward regions rather than promote hunting.
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Mar 18, 2019 09:06pm
@Lost cause, Yes I agree, this non-sense should stop. There are many other ways of earning money! The innocent and precious animals should not be killed.
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Mar 18, 2019 10:12pm
This is sick & disgusting.
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Mar 18, 2019 10:54pm
The entire wildlife department should be fired.
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Mar 18, 2019 11:11pm
@Lost cause, it is hunted illegally!
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Mar 18, 2019 11:24pm
A tragedy for humankind. People who like to kill non-harming animals for fun are sick. Pakistan should be ashamed of making money out of this inhuman practice.
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Mar 19, 2019 12:15am
Utterly shameful.
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Mar 19, 2019 12:26am
The wildlife authors must be well aware of Markhor population hence the hunt. Most of the money goes back into conservation. In Africa hunting has helped conservation through legal hunting and in most areas animal population has grown.
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Mar 19, 2019 01:04am
Shame on these people allowing killing of animals for money. This is a kind of terrorism against animals.
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Mar 19, 2019 02:45am
@Rs, What thrill do hunters get by killing sickly, tired animals who cannot run to escape death . If that is the case , anyone can kill them...why the trophy then??
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Mar 19, 2019 02:47am
@SNM, Now this makes sense . Will read and research .
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Mar 19, 2019 05:55am
Increase the permit fee to $125,000. They will pay.
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Mar 19, 2019 06:12am
Truely sad to see such a magnificent animal falling prey to Trophy Hunters . The Markhor is an endangered species and a National symbol that epitomizes elegance, strength, individuality and resilience. There is no justification for hunting it , even though there may be perceived financial benefits. The Government has to involve the public in raising awareness regarding protection of the weak and defenseless . This includes animals that have no way of protecting themselves. We must educate the local communities to help protect these magnificent creatures . If they must earn revenue, let them educate themselves and elevate their status. Let them develop tourism and conservation which is much more productive. Shame on the Government institutions and the monstrous individuals who find pride in killing innocent animals.
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Mar 19, 2019 07:01am
Rich people with too much money for their own good
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Mar 19, 2019 08:37am
Even in death this Markhor is screaming of his magnifisence. I wonder where this hunting money goes.
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Mar 19, 2019 08:39am
The overwhelming majority of comments under the article shows how concerned the readers are about this wildlife heritage.
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Mar 19, 2019 10:26am
@Gordon D. Walker, @BK, @Lost Cause Actually this trophy hunting program has been credited with brining the endangered species from the brink of extension. It is a very well regulated and benefitial for the animals and the community alike.
I beleive 80% of the proceeds go to the community. They use it for thinks like schools, clinics and what not. Because they have a stake in the game, they become custodians and also are responsible slecting the hunting trophy.
Please look into this as well as the Snow Leoprd program in Pakistan, both are world class and each uses a different approch
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Mar 19, 2019 10:54am
@Maria enteparia onnuchoriu, 80% for the locals and part for the local goverment and rest for federal wild life plan. This particular program brought the animal back from the brink of extinction.
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Mar 19, 2019 11:09am
How can the National Animal be killed for pleasure?
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Mar 19, 2019 11:15am
Look how proud the hunter seems on the photograph. There is no bravery in shooting some defenseless and unsuspecting animals. This is mental illness to consider such sheer cruelty as an achievement.
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Mar 19, 2019 11:30am
@SPS, How can the National Animal be killed for pleasure?
Not for pleasure, it's for money !!!
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Mar 19, 2019 11:55am
@Lost cause, nobody wants to come to India in the first places
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Mar 19, 2019 12:27pm
The government authorities responsible for this game should initially make it public disclosing the necessity of this hunting, for how long, what types of species will be hunted and where will be the income invested! If the Markhor is endangered then this must stop
Each region in the world has its special animal species and must be preserved in a manner that their existence is not endangered and not multiply that their is no fodder sufficient for them.
Killing for the sake of fun or achieving a trophy is senseless.
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Mar 19, 2019 12:30pm
This is NO Good....
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Mar 19, 2019 12:39pm
What a shame!!! Can money replace something so wonderful ?
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Mar 19, 2019 02:36pm
Its too painful to see these pictures
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Mar 19, 2019 03:04pm
Shameful act. These animals adds to beauty of planet, not to be killed.
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Mar 19, 2019 10:23pm
This is murder!
Stop this killing. The PM must issue orders!
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