Biology 416: Discussion 4: 2004

Conservation of Endangered Species: Markhor (Capra falconeri) in Pakistan

 

 

 

Straight-horned markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros)

Distribution: The most comprehensive study of the distribution and status of the straight-horned markhor comes from Schaller and Khan (1975). They showed a huge recent past range for this subspecies, but the present range (Map 8.5.5) in Pakistan consists only of small isolated areas in Baluchistan, a small area in NWFP, and one unconfirmed occurrence in Dera Ghazi Khan District (Punjab Province). Virk (1991) summarised the actual information for Baluchistan Province and confirmed the subspecies' presence in the area of the Koh-i-Sulaiman (District Zhob) and the Takatu hills (District Quetta), both according to Ahmad (1989), and in the Torghar hills of the Toba Kakar range (District Zhob) (Tareen (1990). The NWFP Forest Department (NWFP 1987) considered that the areas of Mardan and Sheikh Buddin were still inhabited by the subspecies. There is no actual information about the Safed Koh range (Districts of Kurram and Khyber) where according to Schaller and Khan (1975) probably at least 100 animals lived on the Pakistan side of the border at the time of their survey >20 years ago.

Population: Schaller and Khan (1975) estimated that >2,000 individuals remained throughout the entire range of straight-horned markhor. Roberts (1969) estimated that the total population of the former subspecies C. f. jerdoni, restricted mainly to the Province of Baluchistan, may have exceeded 1,000 animals, but that it was severely threatened because it survived in discontinuous and isolated pockets. For this same area, Schaller and Khan (1975) estimated less then 1,000 animals. Robots (1969) believed that the main concentration of this former subspecies was in the Toba Kakar and Torghar hills and numbers could have been >500. Schaller and Khan (1975) estimated 150 straighthorned markhor living in the Takatu hills in 1971, but later Ahmad (1989) reported that only 50 still existed in these hills, and only 100 in the area of Koh-i-Sulaiman. The NWFP Forest. Department (NWFP 1992) gave a total of only 24 animals for the whole province; 12 for the Mardan area, and 12 for the Sheikh Buddin NP. There is no recent estimate for the total number of straight-horned markhor in Pakistan. Considering the general situation of wildlife in these areas we do not expect that the population has increased in recent years, so it is almost certain that there are < 1,500 straight-horned markhor remaining today.

Threats: Hunting and livestock competition, as well as significant habitat loss caused by logging in the Suleiman range, which is the most important area of straight-horned markhor's distribution.

Conservation measures taken: Listed as Endangered (C2a) in the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN1996), and in Appendix I of CITES. Only one protected area is known to contain straight-horned markhor in Pakistan (Table 8.5.1): Sheikh Buddin NP (previously a Wildlife Sanctuary) in Dera Ismail Khan District of N WFP (Zool. Survey Dept. 1987). The status of the subspecies in protected areas in Baluchistan is uncertain. Its occurrence is not confirmed in Chiltan-Hazarganji NP, and there is no reliable information for either Sasnamana or ZiaratJuniper WS's. There are no reports of any in protected areas in Punjab. Due to recent protective measures in Koh-iSulaiman area, the population may be increasing slowly, but poaching still occurs in Takatu.

Status within country: Endangered

Open for more information on PBL and wild goats 

Conservation of Endangered Species: Markhor (Capra falconeri) in Pakistan

case writer: David Shackleton

Context: You are a group of conservation biologists employed by an international environmental consulting company – Bio-Con, headquartered in Vancouver

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The straight-horned markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros) is listed as endangered (ENC2a) in the 1996 IUCN Red List. It is also included in the Appendix I list of CITES (see attached).

One of the main areas for these wild goats is Pakistan, but < 1,500 are estimated to remain in small (<<100 individuals) scattered populations in the northern and western parts of the country. The main threats to its existence in this country are livestock grazing, habitat destruction (deforestation mainly for firewood), and hunting by locals (for meat and sport). The species is found in only one protected area.

Bio-Con has been retained by IUCN to develop a conservation strategy for Markhor in Pakistan.

 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

 

What is/are the problem(s)?

 

 

List the possible conservation strategies. Identify what you think might be the most appropriate. Explain your ranking.

 

 

Identify additional information do you need to provide a more complete background to the problem(s)?