SRINAGAR, Dec 7: An injured Markhor-the world’s largest wild goat and an iconic species in India-was rescued from a village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The Markhor, an elusive mountain goat native to Kashmir, is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Known for its striking spiral horns, the species is primarily found in rugged mountainous terrains.
Wildlife Warden (North) Intesar Suhail said that a male Markhor had wandered into Noorkhah village near the Kazinag National Park, a key habitat for this majestic but rare animal.
“Early this morning, we received information about an injured Markhor in the village. A team of wildlife officials promptly rushed to the site and successfully rescued the animal,” Suhail said. He explained that the wild goat had likely strayed into the village due to the ongoing breeding season.
Kazinag National Park, located near the LoC, serves as a critical habitat for the species.
According to scientific surveys, the total Markhor population in Kashmir is estimated at around 250. Of these, nearly 200 are found in Kazinag National Park, with the remainder distributed across the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary in Shopian.
The Markhor is also the national animal of Pakistan, with populations found on both sides of the LoC. Conservation efforts are underway to safeguard and bolster the species’ numbers in the Kashmir region.
