American Hunter Legally Hunts Kashmir Markhor in Tushi-Shasha Conservancy, Chitral for $243,000

An American national legally hunted a Kashmir markhor in Tushi-Shasha Conservancy, located in Lower Chitral, after securing a hunting permit from the provincial wildlife department for US$243,000, equivalent to Rs68.327 million. The hunt was carried out under strict regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with Pakistan’s wildlife conservation laws.

The 75-year-old hunter, Thomas Garrick Steele, targeted a mature Kashmir markhor, distinguished by its impressive 55-inch curved horns. With support and guidance from the local community, Steele successfully hunted the markhor from a distance of approximately 250 metres, highlighting the skill and precision required for such regulated trophy hunting.

Kashmir markhor hunting is strictly controlled, and only three permits are auctioned annually across the Chitral conservancies. These permits are part of a sustainable conservation and community development program, where revenue generated from the auctions is reinvested into wildlife protection initiatives and provides economic support to local communities. The program aims to balance controlled hunting with the preservation of the endangered markhor population, ensuring that the species continues to thrive in its natural habitat.