The markhor is a large wild goat of the mountains of Central and South Asia, famous for its corkscrew horns. Community conservation programmes have helped its numbers recover in parts of Pakistan.
Interesting facts
- The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.
- Its name is often translated from Persian as ‘snake-eater’, but it eats only plants.
- Males have a long, shaggy mane on their chest and neck.
- Community-run conservation programmes in Pakistan fund protection partly through limited trophy hunting.
- Markhor climb trees to reach leaves.
- Its status improved from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015.
Behaviour
Markhor are active in the early morning and late afternoon. Females and young live in herds, while adult males are mostly solitary except during the winter rut.
Breeding and young
After about five and a half months, females give birth to one or two kids in late spring.
Threats and conservation
Poaching, habitat loss, competition with livestock and disturbance.
Where to see it
- Chitral Gorge National Park, Pakistan, in winter
- Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
- Kaj-i-Nag National Park, Kashmir, India
- Tajikistan’s mountain reserves
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
