Pakistan wildlife department reports $1.21 million markhor permit auction

Four international markhor trophy-hunting permits brought bids totalling $1,211,800 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, the provincial wildlife department said in an October 9 statement reported by Dawn.

The permits cover conservation areas in Chitral and Kohistan. Toshi-I attracted a bid of $320,600 and Toshi-II $335,600. Gahirat Gol brought $260,000, while Kigah Khwar brought $295,600. The department described the combined proceeds as a record for Pakistan's trophy-hunting programme.

Department spokesman Latifur Rehman told Dawn that the programme permits only limited hunting of mature and old male markhor. He said 80% of revenue would go towards the welfare and development of the relevant communities, with the remaining 20% going to the government treasury.

Rehman presented the programme as a way to link local livelihoods with wildlife protection and sustainable population management. These are the department's stated aims. Trophy hunting remains controversial, and the auction figures alone do not establish the programme's conservation results.