10 interesting facts about Markhors of Gilgit Baltistan

What is the best season to hunt a Markhor and why?

Hunting a Markhor is a breathtaking expedition, and it is more artful then just a game of trophy hunting. In earlier days there were hunters throughout a region where hunting was a necessity, but nowadays it is not so prevalent. In the far-flung areas of Gilgit Baltistan hunting is a source of meat. Based on the need of protein the best season to hunt is December where restoration of meat is not a big problem because of the weather which is always below the freezing point. The second suitable reason is the health of the Markhor that is more meaty in the winter seasons.

In which season hunting a Markhor should be avoided and why?

The trophy hunters are on the hunt in the months of May to June. But, this isn’t the best season of hunting. As the Markhor in the northern region grow weaker and this isn’t suitable for the provision of meat.
In addition to this, in the duration of May to June the Markhor reproduces. This is the season of birth giving and it adds to the population of the Markhors. So, trophy hunting is just a matter interest or an easy game. It doesn’t offer the hardship that a hunter faces during the month of December where the temperature is below the freezing point and the mountains are covered by snow and ice sheets.

What does Markhor eat?

A Markhor usually eats mountain grass which grow at the feet of the mountains. The pasture lands of Gilgit Baltistan are filled with various flora which includes wild lilies, grass, various herbs, pines, and Juniper.

What is the average age of a Markhor?

A Markhor usually lives for an estimated age of 15-20 years. A ring typed outlet grows on the spiral horns of the Markhor. Each ring on the horns of the Markhor corresponse to half year of its life. Eventually it grows to rings in the span of one year. According to a local hunter a Markhor doesn’t live more than fifteen years. Some say that it live to an estimated age period of 20 years but not more than that.

What Kind of Markhor is found in the mountains of Yasin ( GB) and Kashmir?

There are many sub-species of Markhors found in the Northern region of Pakistan. Markhor are the dwellers of high and sloppy mountains. The Himalayas and the Karakorum are among the shelters of Markhors.

The following types of Markhor are found in the mountains of Pakistan.

1. Astor Markhor

This genre of Markhors are indigenous to the mountains of Astor and its vicinity in Gilgit Baltistan which include some parts of the Hunza and Ghizer valley. This kind of Markhor is also present in the mountains of Yasin Valley. The Astor Markhor or capra falconeri falconeri is synonymous to the Kashmir Markhor which is called Capra falconeri cashmiriences. The Astor Markhor was declared near threatened by IUCN. The Kashmir Markhor and Astor Markhor are sub- species of flare-horned Markhor. Furthermore, Kashmir Markhor is present in the areas of Kashmir and Srinagar.

2. Kabul Markhor ( capra falconeri megaceros) and Sulaiman Markhor ( capra falconeri jerdoni).

The other two kind of Markhor is the Kabul Markhor ( capra falconeri megaceros) and Sulaiman Markhor ( capra falconeri jerdoni). The Sulaiman Markhors are present in the province Balochistan. Mainly they’re found in Quetta and Zhob district of Balochistan. The Sulaiman Markhors are said to be straight-horned Markhors. According to some researcher it is said that the Sulaiman and Kabul Markhor are same subspecies, but some acknowledged them as two different subspecies.

What is the difference between a domesticated goat and a Markhor?

A domesticated goat’s average weight falls between 20-30 kg. On the other hand a Markhor wiegh between 80-120 kg. Domesticated goats can’t climb mountains and terrains like a Markhor which is more vigilant and fast. Furthermore, domesticated goats are not rare like Markhors, and the Markhors are now considered near threatened by ICUN red list. But, it is estimated that the number of Markhor has increased over the last few years because of sublime conservation polices. From the taste of meat of the domesticated goat to the taste of its milk all is quite different from that of the Markhor.

Does a Markhor produce milk?

Markhor is a mammal. So, the female Markhor gives birth to a baby and it then feeds its baby on the milk. Markhor produces milk and it is like other goats which feed their young ones on the milk.

What is the taste of Markhor’s milk?

The Female Markhor feed their babies on their milk. As Markhor eats Junipers and Pines which grow on the mountains and terrains. Because of their consumption of Pines and Junipers, the taste of their milk grows to be spicy with the fragrance of Pines and Junipers.

Does Markhor eat snakes?

The name Markhor is a combo of the Persian word (مار) and (خور) that means snake eater. Despite the fact that the literal meaning of Markhor is snake eater, it doesn’t eat snakes. It is evident that it kills snakes and whenever the horn or fur of the Markhor is burned, snakes don’t come near to that particular place. This is assumed that Markhor in folklore is a creature which eats snakes, in reality, it doesn’t.

What kind of rifle is needed to hunt down a Markhor?

There are certain kinds of rifles which are used to hunt Markhor. The most prevalent ones are 7mm and G-3. These rifles have a range of (300-500) meters. The other kinds of rifle includes long-china and SMG. There are other guns which are usually used to kill Markhors like the 3-not-3, with a sure shot kill range of 500 meters. Moreover, the maximum range of 3-not-3 is around 2700 meters and it is deadly. Lastly, There is a locally made gun named chikit, but it is archaic and it not commonly used.

How Markhor manages to climb intricate mountains and terrains?

If you have ever watched a video of a Markhor which climbs on sliding wall of a dam or the way it easily walks on a slippery mountain. You would have notice a kind of magic in the air. Markhors do this because their four feet work as a vacuum and they stick to the slippery position. The feet of Markhor have evolved in away that they now have the ability of creating vacuum around their feet. This helps them to easily walk sloppy and slippery surfaces.