Trophy hunting: Season’s largest ibex hunted

The animal was injured but managed to escape; it was found 24 hours later

GILGIT: As the trophy hunting season draws to a close in Gilgit-Baltistan, a Pakistani hunter has killed the season’s largest ibex in Ghizer district.

“An ibex measuring 45 inches on the horn is now the largest animal to be hunted this season,” an insider told The Express Tribune on Wednesday.

The hunt was made by Imran Khan, a resident of Lahore, who was assisted by local communities for three days to achieve the feat.

“It was a wonderful experience for me,” he told The Express Tribune.

On Sunday, Khan, along with his local guides, trekked 2,000 metres to reach Borith village of Ishkoman Valley to find game. Khan set a new record by firing from a distance of 650 metres.

The ibex was initially injured but managed to flee. Over 24 hours later, a group of locals, led by Javed, a game-watcher, managed to find it.

According to Khan, Javed crossed dangerous routes at night and used ropes to descend and lift the injured ibex from its hiding place.

Khan was impressed by Javed’s daring attempt and gave him a cash reward. “Without Javed and the locals’ support, I wouldn’t have been able to collect the trophy or make the hunt.”

Khan made another ibex hunt on behalf of his colleague who had accompanied him.

“Khan’s effort is commendable,” said Mohammad Ijlal, a senior wildlife department official.

Khan, a journalist is an anchorperson at Express News.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2015.