Let's meet the national animal of Pakistan, the owner of beautiful horns and just interesting animal - Markhor.
Markhor
The markhor is a large species of wild goat native to Central Asia. It's coat is of a grizzled, light brown to black color, and is smooth and short in summer; it grows longer and thicker in winter. The fur of the lower legs is black and white. Males have longer hair on the chin, throat, chest, and shanks. Females are redder in color, with shorter hair, a short black beard, and are maneless. Both sexes have tightly curled, corkscrew-like horns, which close together at the head but spread upwards toward the tips.
Markhor are diurnal animals and are mainly active in the early morning and late afternoon. Their diets shift seasonally: in the spring and summer periods, they graze, but turn to browsing in winter, sometimes standing on their hind legs to reach high branches. Markhor live in flocks that usually consist of nine animals. These flocks are composed of adult females and their young. Adult males are largely solitary. Adult females and kids comprise most of the markhor population.
These majestic animals have many predators and that's why possess keen eyesight and a strong sense of smell to detect nearby predators. Golden eagles have been reported to prey upon young markhor. Eurasian lynx, snow leopard, Himalayan wolves and brown bear are the main predators of markhor. Markhor are very aware of their surroundings and are on high alert for predators. In exposed areas, they are quick to spot and flee from predators. Their alarm call closely resembles the bleating of domestic goats. Early in the season the males and females may be found together on the open grassy patches and clear slopes among the forest. During the summer, the males remain in the forest, while the females generally climb to the highest rocky ridges above.
Distribution
Markhor are found in Central Asia, Karakoram, and the Himalayas. They occur in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (Jammu-Kashmir), Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Markhor are adapted to mountainous terrain with steep cliffs; they typically inhabit open woodlands, scrublands, and forests made up primarily of oaks, pines, and junipers.
Conservation
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources currently classifies the markhor as a near threatened species, due to a relatively small population (2013 estimate: ~5,800 individuals), the absence of a projected total population decline, and relying on ongoing conservation efforts to keep this population level. There are reservations in Tajikistan to protect the markhors. In 1973, two reservations were established. The Dashtijum Strict Reserve offers markhor protect across 20,000 ha. The Dashtijum Reserve covers 53,000 ha. Though these reserves exist to protect and conserve the markhor population, the regulations are poorly enforced making poaching common as well as habitat destruction.
Although markhors still face ongoing threats, recent studies have shown considerable success with regards to the conservation approach. The approach began in the 1900s when a local hunter was convinced by a hunting tourist to stop poaching markhors. The local hunter established a conservancy that inspired two other local organizations called Morkhur and Muhofiz. The two organizations expect that their conversations will not only protect, but allow them to sustainability use the markhor species. This approach has been very effective compared to the protect lands that lack enforcement and security. In India, the markhor is a fully protected species under Jammu and Kashmir's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1978.
That's it for today. See you all next time.
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