Where does the markhor live?
The markhor is a large wild goat native to the mountain regions at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, including the Karakoram and Himalayas. It occurs in parts of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It lives in shrub forests with oaks, pines and junipers, at elevations of 600 to 3,600 m. It is the national animal of Pakistan.
What does the markhor eat?
In the spring and summer, it grazes, but turns to browsing in winter, sometimes standing on its hind legs to reach high branches. Females and their young form herds usually numbering nine animals. Males have spiral horns that can grow up to 160 cm long, while those of females are up to 25 cm. Its Persian name means "snake eater".
Is the markhor endangered?
Yes: the IUCN has listed it as Near Threatened since 2015. Poaching is by far the most important factor threatening its survival, along with competition with livestock and habitat destruction. Thanks to community-based programmes, notably in Tajikistan, conservation efforts have shown considerable success: the population was estimated at 5,800 individuals in 2013.
