Trophy hunting (for Markhor or Ibex) means a legal hunting of mature male Markhor or Ibex for trophy purpose. Trophy hunting of Markhor (Capra falconeri kashmeriensis) and Ibex (Capra ibex himalayenis) is permissible in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan), subject to such rules and regulations as are provided in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1975.
The hunting of Markhor and Ibex is otherwise prohibited under the general ban imposed by the Govt. of Pakistan and their hunting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is allowed, as a special case, only in the Community Managed Conservation Areas. Markhor is appendix-I species to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), which is considered most endangered and threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade/traffic in specimens of this species.
When it is allowed as a special case, it is authorized by granting of both an export permit (or re-export certificate) and import permit. To make an incentive for communities to conserve the Markhor species the 12th Conference of Parties (CoP) of CITES, held in Santiago, Chile, in 2002, has allowed 12 Markhor annual export quota form Pakistan from Community Managed Conservation Areas.
National Council for Conservation of Wildlife (NCCW)- Pakistan further allots this quota to the Provinces and Administrative Units in Pakistan where the animal is available and can be hunted under the CITES conditions. NCCW is the focal point and Scientific Management Authority of CITES in Pakistan. Ibex is appendix-II species to the CITES which is considered to become threatened with extinction unless trade/traffic in its specimens is closely controlled. This is authorized by granting an export permit (or re-export certificate); and no import permit is necessary. There is no fixed quota for Ibex, from CITES however, an export permit from NCCW is required and the NCCW has fixed an annual quota of 10.
Hunting of Markhor and Ibex is an extremely challenging sport and requires complete physical fitness and patience. The hunter should be prepared for rugged terrain, difficult slopes and extremely cold weather during the hunting season.
