Status of Suleiman Markhor
Negative Incentives and Positive Required Actions in the Torghar Range, North-Eastern Balochistan, Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58341/srj.v3i3.95Abstract
This study examined the population dynamics of Suleiman Markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni Hume, 1875) in the Torghar Hills Range, located in Western Central Pakistan, focusing on current population size, threats, and conservation strategies. The Torghar is a conservation area and one of the few habitats of this species, endemic to Balochistan and categorized as near threatened by the IUCN in 2015. Data were collected through interviews with the local inhabitants, local hunters, and Wildlife departments supplemented by relevant published literature. Results indicated that the Markhor population showed a moderate increase from 334 individuals in January 2021 to 374 individuals in the latest census conducted by the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Program (TBTTP), Ministry of Climate Change, Forestry and Wildlife Department, Balochistan. Previous censuses in 1985 and 1987 reported fewer than 100 mature individuals, while peaks of 2541 and 3158 were recorded in 2005 and 2008 respectively in Torghar Hills. The present study identifies anthropogenic activities climatic change, and habitat degradation as primary threats. This research provides updated population figures and highlights conservation challenges. Expanding the goat habitat is also advisable to conserve the feasible population of C. f. jerdoni in this part of the country.
Keywords:
Population occurrence, Suleiman Markhor, Threats, Torghar mountainsReferences
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