TROPHY HUNTING IBEX/BLUE SHEEP IN PAKISTAN

Hunting Session 1^st October till 30^th Aprils every year

The Himalayan Ibex can be separated from the alpine population by the horn shape which, in adult males, grows much longer, curving round to form? of a complete arc and tapering to relatively slender points.

The record horn from Pakistan measured 140cm and came from Gilgit. It had a basal girth of 26.5cm and a gap of 63.5cm between tips and certainly in Gilgit a head with horns over this length would be considered an exceptionally good trophy.

Confined to relatively arid mountain ranges of the inner Himalayas, living well above the tree line only in the higher more precipitous regions. They occur from about 3550m to over 5000m in Pakistan, though they sometimes migrate from one mountain range to another in winter and in so doing have been seen crossing valleys below 2135m

They are fairly wide spread through the higher mountain ranges in Gilgit Baltistan in the Karakoram Range, the Haramosh Range, and the probably the highest population of Ibex now survives in Northern Hunza, especially in the water shed of Khunjerab, Khyber, Passu, Gulkin Chupersion, Gulkin, Misgar and Shimshal Valley, and to the east of Khunjerab. In Gilgit, they are still fairly plentiful in Ishkoman, Yasin and Hunza. Further west they occur in the Hindukush range of mountains and throughout Northern Chitral down to about 32 kilometers north of Chitral and in the higher mountain ranges of Chilas and on the slopes of Malika Parbat Mountain.

Himalayan Ibex has a wider distribution and is plentiful and its future survival is not so threatened in Pakistan largely due to the inaccessibility of its habitat provided by the very extensive concentration of very high mountain ranges in the extreme north western region. Baltistan and Hunza are undoubtedly the strong holds of the Himalayan Ibex in the region today. In the early spring the Ibex are half starved and eagerly seek new sprouting grass when it is available at lower milder elevations. This is the only time when they descend as low as 2450m and are thus much easier to hunt.

Any hunting trip in this inaccessible area needs careful planning. A number of permits from local and federal authorities, specially import and re-export licenses for the firearms as well as permits to carry and use these inside the country are required. These often take several weeks to process and must be obtained before the arrival of hunting party in the country.

Himalayan Ibex Features.

The Himalayan ibex (Yukash Wakhi) (Capra ibex sibirica), a large and heavily built mountain goat is the most numerous wild ungulates in Pakistan. They live in groups, in mountainous regions ranging from 2,000 m to 5,500 m in rocky terrains and open alpine meadows.

The Himalayan ibex provides a food base to a wide array of carnivores including snow leopards. They are coveted trophies for hunters whose license fees help impoverished communities, who, in turn, help conserve biodiversity. Thus, their long-term survival is not only important for conserving nature but helps in sustaining local human populations as well.

SLF’s recent study estimates 26,510 km’ area to be suitable habitat for the species, comprising 38% of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Most of the suitable habitat falls in the Karakoram range, followed by the Hindu Kush and then in the Himalayas. Annual precipitation, annual mean temperature and precipitation seasonality are key factors that determine habitat suitability for ibex. However, given the onset of climate change, the species will lose 30-60% of its habitat, particularly in the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges Centre of the species range is also likely to shift eastwards.

Luckily, the Karakoram-Pamir ranges will serve as climate refugia, thus, it shall remain the focus of future conservation efforts to protect this iconic species.

Threats: Illegal hunting, human disturbance, habitat loss, and competition for forage with domestic livestock

Key Facts

Common Name: IBEX

Status: LEAST CONCERN

Habitat: COLD HIGH MOUNTAINS

Food: GRASSES & LEAVES

Tail Length: 8CM - 20CM

Length: 130CM - 165CM

Weight: 30KG - 100KG

Age:16-17 YEARS

Astor Markhor: Once the rifle handling is done in Islamabad airport, hunters need to fly from Islamabad to up north to the town of Gilgit (app. 45 min flight). We usually book this domestic flight for the hunter. Sometimes, when the flights do not operate due to bad weather conditions, then there is no way but to take a long ride (14-16 hours) up to the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Expect 9- 10-day trip and 5- 6day hunt.

Blue Sheep:

The blue sheep or bharal (Pseudois nayaur) is an intermediate mammalian species between the goat and sheep, which live in large groups above the tree line at altitudes ranging from 3,500 m to 5,500 m in areas that have gentle slopes covered with grasses and sedges. This is the only abundant wild sheep in northern Pakistan and is considered primary prey for the snow leopards. They are coveted trophies for hunters whose license fees help impoverished communities, who, in turn, help conserve biodiversity. Thus, their long-term survival is not only important for preserving nature but also helps sustain local human populations. SLF’s recent study estimates 6,500 km area to be suitable habitat for the species, comprising 9% of Gilgit-Baltistan. The major stronghold of the habitat is in the Karakoram-Pamir range that falls in the Hunza district. Annual precipitation means the temperature of the wettest quarter, and temperature seasonality is the key. However, under changing climate scenarios, the species will lose up to 50% of its habitat under extreme green-house trajectories. The Karakoram-Pamir ranges where species live; are relatively resilient to climate change. The Khunjerab National Park and western parts of Central Karakoram National Park are expected to provide climate refugia to this iconic species.

Threats: climate change, livestock grazing, tourism, hunting and pouching

(The Local Wakhi Name Ramapoye) After finishing all customs formalities in Islamabad, hunters are transferred to the hotel and stay overnight there. Next morning, they fly to Gilgit. In case of flight cancellation, they drive to Chilas, then to Gilgit Hunza, Misgar, Sost, Shimshal Pamir. After that two day of stalking to Shimshal Village. Plan 10-15 days’ trip and 05 -07 for days’ hunt.

KEY FACTs:

Common Name: BHARAL/BLUE SHEEP

Status: Near ThreaTened

Habitat: Cold High Mountains

Food: Grasses & Leaves

Trophy Size: 25 Inches

Length: 115cm-165cm

Weight: 35kg-75kg

Age: 12-13 Years