Born to be free: Injured Markhor kid released into the wild
WCS volunteers earlier found the animal after it had slipped from a slope.
Two-year-old markhor kid being released back to Kargah valley after recovering from minor injuries. The kid lost its footing and slipped on Sunday. PHOTO: SHABBIR MIR/EXPRESS
GILGIT:
An injured markhor kid, which was rescued by volunteers of the World Conservation Society (WCS) a few days ago in Gilgit, was released into the wild on Tuesday.
WCS volunteers Abdul Kadir and Azfar Ali found the markhor kid on Sunday after it had slipped from a slope near a water channel in Kargah valley, which is about 20 kilometers from Gilgit.
“The kid was provided the necessary treatment before being released,” said Dr Mayoor Khan, who heads the WCS, an NGO which works to conserve rare wildlife species in G-B.
The ceremony to see off the markhor kid was attended by communities of the surrounding areas besides officials including advisor to G-B chief minister Aftab Haider, forest and wildlife conservator Wilayat Noor, secretary forest Khandim Hussain among others. Markhor sightings under normal circumstances are quite rare and many took advantage of this opportunity to take a few pictures.
“We request that a forest hut be constructed and community guards be given regular jobs to ensure better care of the wildlife,” read a resolution adopted by the communities.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) places Markhors on the endangered species list. The list includes species considered to be at a high risk of extinction.
Under the Trophy Hunting Programme initiated in the 90s to discourage uncapped hunting of vulnerable wildlife, the fee to hunt a markhor is $40,000 in G-B. Roughly 80% of the money earned goes back into the communities – a motive for locals to cooperate in the protection of endangered species. A total of four markhors can be hunted during the season which begins in October and ends in April.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2013.
An injured markhor kid, which was rescued by volunteers of the World Conservation Society (WCS) a few days ago in Gilgit, was released into the wild on Tuesday.
WCS volunteers Abdul Kadir and Azfar Ali found the markhor kid on Sunday after it had slipped from a slope near a water channel in Kargah valley, which is about 20 kilometers from Gilgit.
“The kid was provided the necessary treatment before being released,” said Dr Mayoor Khan, who heads the WCS, an NGO which works to conserve rare wildlife species in G-B.
The ceremony to see off the markhor kid was attended by communities of the surrounding areas besides officials including advisor to G-B chief minister Aftab Haider, forest and wildlife conservator Wilayat Noor, secretary forest Khandim Hussain among others. Markhor sightings under normal circumstances are quite rare and many took advantage of this opportunity to take a few pictures.
“We request that a forest hut be constructed and community guards be given regular jobs to ensure better care of the wildlife,” read a resolution adopted by the communities.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) places Markhors on the endangered species list. The list includes species considered to be at a high risk of extinction.
Under the Trophy Hunting Programme initiated in the 90s to discourage uncapped hunting of vulnerable wildlife, the fee to hunt a markhor is $40,000 in G-B. Roughly 80% of the money earned goes back into the communities – a motive for locals to cooperate in the protection of endangered species. A total of four markhors can be hunted during the season which begins in October and ends in April.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2013.