Nature’s loss: Ailing markhor dies while under treatment

CHITRAL:

An ailing markhor, found five days ago on Booni Road in Chitral, died while being tended to by Chitral wildlife officials.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Imtiaz Hussain said the sick animal, which was around seven years old, was taken for treatment. He said the Markhor was treated by veterinary doctor Sheikh Ahmad who believed lungworms claimed its life on Friday night.

The DFO said officials were unable to save the wild goat despite intense treatment. He added the doctor took tissue samples and sent them to the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) in Peshawar for further tests. He said the results would be able to better indicate the cause of death.

Hussain said lungworms—parasitic worms found in the lungs and trachea—are common among domestic goats. The DFO explained a large number of domestic goats in Chitral graze in the jungles without any restrictions and tend to transmit such diseases to wildlife. He assumed the markhor also died due to such a pathogenic transfer.

He added K-P has no policy on animal grazing which increases risks for wildlife.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2015.