The document discusses the Markhor species of goat found in Central Asia and the Himalayas. It describes three main species - the Chiltan Markhor, Kabul Markhor, and Suleiman Markhor. It discusses their morphology, distribution, habitat, diet, reproduction, and conservation status. Historically, Markhor populations declined due to hunting but recent conservation efforts have helped increase numbers in protected areas like national parks through community-based protection and trophy hunting programs.
2. Introduction
The markhor is the national animal of
Pakistan
It is also known as the screw horn or
"screw-horned goat”
It is a large Capra species native to Central
Asia, Karakoram and the Himalayas
7. Morphology
Young males are reddish-grey
Have increasing amounts of white and grey on
shoulders and back by age 3-4
Some males have dark brown or almost black
chests
Sometimes a dark shoulder stripe
8. Females are
similar to the
female
Suleiman
markhor
Being
reddish-
grey with a
dark brown
dorsal
stripe
White legs
with a dark
brown
marking
below the
knees
9. The horns will rarely exceed 29 inches
(73.7 cm) in length
However, the longest of record
measured 40 inches (101.6 cm)
Body size 65-115cm
10. Distribution
But now they only found in Chiltan range
Takhatu mountain ranges
Murdar
Chiltan
They are occur on the:
13. Morphology
They posses a long dark beard
Have short naked tail
Coat color is pinkish grey in winter
Browner in summer
Neck ruff creamy white
Their weight is about 80-10kg
14. Size
Body length is 184-
186cm,(72-73in) in males.
140-151cm,(55-
59.5in) in females.
18. Morphology
Being reddish-grey with a dark
brown dorsal stripe
Coat color is pinkish grey
Being reddish-grey with a dark brown
dorsal stripe
White legs with a dark brown
marking below the knees
22. Habitat
The markhor prefers
arid cliff side habitats
in wooded
mountainous regions
As well as the
Middle Asian
Mountains.
Markhor try to
avoid deep
snow.
Presence
elevation range
is 3500-4500 m.
23. They are adapted to live in very arid
mountains with little available fodder
Up to 20-30 animals can be seen
together
The old males stay at higher
altitudes
24. Dimorphism in Markhor
Markhor is
Sexually Dimorphic
Males having longer hair on
the chin, throat, chest and
shanks
Females are redder in colour,
with shorter hair, a short
black beard, and are maneless
25. Diet
• It is grazing animal in the summer and browsing animal
in the winter
• The markhor diet consists of grass, leaves and other
vegetation
• They stand on their hind legs to eat leaves and shoots
from trees
26. The markhor forages 8 – 12 hours daily
It is usually active all day except for
several hours in the middle of the day,
when it rests and chews its cud
They mostly forage in the early
morning and evening
27. Reproduction
The young are born from late march to
early April
Twins are
Mating season occurs during winter
The females gestation period lasts 135 – 170
days
28. Markhor reach
maturity at around
18 – 30 months
Markhor kids are
weaned at about 5
– 6 months
The life span of a
markhor is at least
12 – 13 years
30. Threats
Several factors
have resulted in
the population
decline in its
range of
occurrence
including:
Hunting
for meat
and sport
(trophies)
Habitat
alteration
Degradation
Encroachment
Fencing
31. Competition with
domestic livestock for
fodder
Disease transmission
form livestock
Increase in the human
population in the natural
habitat of markhor
32. Conservation and Management
By 1975, uncontrolled hunting by locals had
reduced these to one population of about 170
animals in what is now Hazarganji-Chiltan
National Park
Given protection within the park, the numbers
increased to 480 by 1990
33. Kabul markhor is conserve in Chitral gol national park.
The number of Kabul markhor increased from 160-300
in 1990s.
34. Torgarh
national project
is working for
the
conservation of
Suleiman
markhor
In 1985 it
was near to
extinct
But in 1994
its number
increase from
100 to 1990
35. Economic Importance
Habitat for markhor is a
place in which animals
live they find mate and
collect its food for their
livelihood Markhor
A wild goat which is
mostly present in the
mountainous regions of
Pakistan.
36. Negative imapcts
Which prefers cliffs
of hills that are steep
it protects them
from attack of snow
leopard and wolf
it also protect
them from
the hunters
37. Its reduction cause loss of sustainability in
ecosystem maintains nature around the cliffs
• Food chain is affected as certain animals are feeding on markhor
38. References
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39. Cont…
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