Markhor
| Markhor | |
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| Markhor in Tierpark Berlin, Germany | |
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| Capra falconeri | |
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The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a large goat. It is found in woodland in Central Asia, Karakoram and the Western Himalayas; this is the National Animal of Pakistan.
Markhor are 65 to 115 centimeters tall at the shoulder. They usually weigh from 40 to 110 kilograms. Females are a tan colour with a white underbelly and a pattern of black and white on the legs. Males are a lighter tan colour with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs. Males also have a black face and lots of long white fur on their neck and chest which can grow down to their knees. Both males and females have corkscrew-shaped horns which can grow up to 160 cm / 64 inches long in males, and up to 25 cm / 10 inches in females.
Markhor live in places 500 to 3500 meters (1,500 to 11,000 feet) high, where they eat grass, leaves.[2] Markhor often stand on their back legs to reach the top leaves of trees. Markhor are active (move around more) in the early morning and late afternoon. Females gather in herds (groups) of up to nine animals. Males usually live alone.
The Markhor is the National animal of Pakistan. The word "Markhor" is Persian for "Snake Eater".
- The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is the National animal, and is beloved by many Pakistanis and is a sacred animal in many Pakistani reservations. Pakistan has made efforts to conserve the Markhor, including community engagement and proactive conservation programs, poaching them or game hunting is made illegal. Respect for national wildlife. Markhor's are a significant part of Pakistani culture and religion, a symbol it's national pride and is featured in Pakistani culture and religion in a number of ways, and is the country's national animal: The Markhor was featured on the World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation Coin Collection in 1976. Markhor marionettes are used in Afghan puppet shows known as Buz-Baz. The Markhor is featured in the Pakistani computer-animated film Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor. The Lollywood film includes a message about overcoming differences and not judging people based on their religion, nationality, or colour. In 2018, Pakistan's national animal Markhor was chosen to be introduced as the brand identity on PIA's aircraft tail, showing airline commitment for preserving the species. This tail was based on a jumping ibex having long screw horns, which relatively embedded into the new logo. Company slogan changed to "We Fly at the Right Attitude". At the time, legacy PIA colours (Pakistan Green & Mustard Gold) dropped and blue texture added in "PIA" acronym. Urdu PIA logo colour also changed with yellow-green texture. The name Markhor translates to “snake eater” in Persian, for the Markhor holds great skill at killing snakes in the wild to protect its harem. On the 2nd of May in 2024, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24th of May as the International Day of the Markhor. In Indian jurisdiction, the Markhor is a fully protected (Schedule I) species under Indian held-Jammu and Kashmir's (IIOJK) Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1978. Prior to 2020 Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence organization. It Depicted Pakistan's National animal, The Markhor respectively.
They primarily live in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Indian Kashmir Valley. In Pakistan, they live in the Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza regions. There are fewer markhor left because human beings take livestock to eat grass in the places where the markhor lives. Other people have killed the markhor for its horns. As of 2012, the IUCN said there were probably 2,500 markhor left in the wild.[3]
Subspecies
- Bukharan markhor, Capra falconeri heptneri
- Astor markhor, Capra falconeri falconeri
- Kabul markhor, Capra falconeri megaceros
- Kashmir markhor, Capra falconeri cashmiriensis
- Sulaiman markhor, Capra falconeri jerdoni
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Capra falconeri. |
References
- ↑ Michel, S.; Rosen Michel, T. (2015). "Markhor: Capra falconeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T3787A97218336. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ↑ "Endangered Bukharan Markhor". National Geographic. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ↑ John R. Platt (May 16, 2021). "Sanctuaries Established to Help Save Spectacular Kashmiri Goat". Scientific American Blogs. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
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