Pakistan

Deadly disease kills 12 Markhors in Chitral

Experts attribute deforestation, use of fertiliser for the infection.

Shabbir Mir April 09, 2011

GILGIT:

A deadly epidemic in Chitral has killed at least a dozen young Markhors, officials said on Friday.

“The number of deaths reported is 12 and the dead Markhors are quite young – about nine months old,” Imtiaz, a senior official of the wildlife department in Chitral, told The Express Tribune by phone.

He said that the disease was not unusual and some deaths had occurred earlier but this time, more Markhors had fallen prey.

“This happens when the habitat of the Markhors is disturbed due to deforestation,” he explained, adding that another reason for the spread could be fertilisers. “There are chances that these young Markhors got infected as they ate fertilised crops,” he said.

The official said that they had the bodies examined in a lab to determine the disease. “It’s called ‘foot-and-mouth’ disease. Small pimples appear in and around the corners of mouth,” he said. The animal carcasses have been left in the wild for predators to eat, he said.

He said that the Markhors found in Chitral are known as the Kashmiri Markhor. “They can be spotted along the west bank of Kunar River between Shogore and Arandu and Drosh on its eastern bank. They can also be seen along tributaries of the Matuj River as far as Barenis,” he said.

Kashmir Markhore is one of the most precious wild animals whose price in the international market is over $80,000, which means that Chitral stands to lose up to $9.6 million.

“Diseases are transmittable and sheep and animal herds carry the risk of spreading the disease,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (8)

Syed Harir Shah | 13 years ago | Reply WHO WILL PROTECT THE FUTURE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES? The Markhor is the National Animal of Pakistan and is found in Mountain region, especially in Chitral. The total world population is mainly found in Pakistan. The Kashmir Markhor is mainly confined to Chitral and presents the biggest population in Pakistan. Poaching has been successfully controlled with the introduction of participation conservation approach of wildlife department and the people living in the game reserve and now there are over 2000 Markhor in Chitral. The species is classed by the IUCN as Endangered, and accordingly IUCN and Wildlife with support of the community conservation strategy protected them. Hunting and poaching is prohibited, however, four trophy hunting license are issued annually by generating funding for physical protection of the endangered animals. 80% of the income will go to community while 20% to Wildlife department. There is no provision in the funding for the welfare and treatment of these endangered species. On the occasions of trophy hunting fund distribution ceremonies, I suggested to the officials of concerned departments to make some provision for a forestation, re-forestation in the game reserve area for making enough food supply for the survival of the endangered animals and treatment of them in case of any epidemic. Today after 5 years, I see the sad result that the endangered animals are dying due to epidemic. What has been done to provide the required food supply to increased population of Markhoor in an area of over 20,000 hectares in Tooshi Sahah Game reserve? There is no one to investigate the cause of epidemic and treatment. The contradicting statement by the Divisional Wildlife Officer is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan. I am irritated with the buzz word used by DFO that climate change is the major cause of Pannonia diseases. Is the DFO a climatologist who has done research on dying phenomenon of Markhoor or is a doctor investigated the cause of Markhoor deaths due to climate change impact? It seems to be irresponsible statement on the part of a responsible officer without any scientific logic he is making. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. 2011 have been marked the beginning of a crucial decade in the International calendar for biodiversity – being the start of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and having also been declared 'International Year of Forests' by the United Nations. On this occasion, I appeal to the Secretary/ Conservator of Wildlife Department, the high up at federal govt and the CITES management to look into the matter seriously to avoid extinction of our national animal. A joint investigation team of climate change expert, doctors from livestock departments, forest departments representative from IUCN, CITES and community representatives other than from Tushi Game reserve may be constituted under the chairmanship of DCO Chitral for through investigation and fixing responsibilities on concerned departments and organizations, which are enjoying million of trophy hunting funds at the cost of our national animals. I wish to appeal to members of Asian Region of CITES to intervene into the matter for investigation of the matter. I would like to suggest 10% fund for facilitation and welfare of Markhor and another 10% for research, treatment and population growth, out of the Trophy hunting. The people and the department should not be allowed to enjoy at the cost of Endangered Animal. Syed Harir Shah Executive Director, International Institute for Disaster Risk Management-Islamabad Pakistan.

Syed Harir Shah | 13 years ago | Reply My city is Islamabad, iam basically from Chitral

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Mian Muhammad Ali shah | 13 years ago | Reply Dead of dozens of markhor means lost of million of rupees to this backward district of kpk. one markhor trophy price is 85 lacs rupees. which is distributed in local people and govt. villige conservency cummities r responsible to protect Markhor. Govt should take serious action against this cummities, because this cummites r not completing their obligation,

Ajaz Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply the damages of Markhors from the disease is very unpleasant new for all the nature loving communities, chitral is famous due to its rich biological diversity and Markhor is one of the rare wild animal still found in this area, the natural habitat of this species is disturbed a lot due to heavy grazing and encroachment by the local communities in the upper hill side and the livestock exist in the natural habitat of the area has not only create competition but also transmit different kinds of diseases to these markhors from the domestic livestock. There is a need to take immediate action and a complete ban is needed on grazing in the natural habitat of Markhor. The conflicts exist among the local communities is also creating troubles in the conservation of wildlife in the area. hope the local communities will contributes their role in the conservation of This valuable and rare species in the conservancy Ajaz Ahmad, Chitral

G.H. Farooqi` | 13 years ago | Reply It is sorrowful that such a rare and precious wild life were not saved from death it seems negligence of wild life department as well local village conservation committee.

ABDV | 13 years ago | Reply Awww poor goats :(

Aziz Ali | 13 years ago | Reply It is unfortunate to hear this great loss of our precious markhor (Capra falconri cashmiriensis) in Thusi community game reserve, Chitral. Markhors are unique natural heritage of Chitral and their protection and conservation is utmost responsibility of custodian government department as well communities living around the markhor conservancies delineated and declared by provincial wildlife department in Chitral district. Markhor is declared endangered wildlife speces by the the world Conservation Union (IUCN) in its Red Data Book and there is apparently potential role by the environmental organizations in Pakistan to help support the government wildlife department Chitral and the local communities around markhor consrvancies, technically and financially to save the endangered markhors of Chitral from this sudden epidemic disease. DFO Wildlife has identified two potential causes of this epidemic like grazing of livestock in lower periferies of conservancy and grazing of markhors in agriculture fields These issues need to be addressed on emergency basis. Throwing carcasses in open air seems not good idea, this may create more complication and widespread of diseases in the region. Carcasses should be burnt or dump deep into the soil. Sample laboratory check up and diagnosis of type of disease will help to find long term solution for future protection and conservation of of markhors. .

aslam chandio | 13 years ago | Reply The markhors should be declared as muhajirs then all the media will provide blanket coverage all day long & cry about all the injustices & hardships the markhors have had to face & the present govt. as always will capitulate & ensure no further markhors face any difficulties.

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