CHITRAL: A Russian citizen, Andrei Zaika, has hunted a 41-inch-long-horned Kashmiri Makhor under a non-export trophy permit in the Ghiryat Golin area of Chitral here on Thursday.
According to a spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Department, Russian citizen Andrei Zaika hunted a Kashmiri Markhor with a non-export trophy permit in the Ghiryat Golin Community Game Reserve area of Chitral. The spokesperson noted that the length of the Markhor’s horns was recorded at 41 inches, indicating the animal’s mature age and the effective protection of wildlife in the region.
Additionally, for the first time, official non-export trophy hunting of the Himalayan Goral was conducted in the Torghar district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where an American citizen participated in the hunt. The Wildlife Department reported that the decision to allow Goral trophy hunting was made in February 2025. This initiative aims to cooperate with the local population to reduce illegal hunting and benefit the community.
Record $1.9M trophy hunting permits auctioned for Markhor, Ibex
The Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has achieved a historic success in the 2025–26 trophy hunting season by auctioning 39 permits for Markhor, Ibex, and Grey Goral, generating a record-breaking revenue of 1,913,842 USD (approximately PKR 542.7 million).
Four exportable Markhor permits were auctioned for USD 946,000, nine non-exportable Markhor permits for 553,300, 20 non-exportable Ibex permits for 16,042, and six non-exportable Grey Goral permits auctioned for 398,500 USD. For the first time, non-exportable Grey Goral permits were introduced, which contributed significantly to the increase in revenue.
Commenting on the achievement, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Wildlife, Pir Musavir Khan, stated that this year’s trophy hunting program has proven to be record-breaking in terms of revenue generation. He highlighted that the introduction of Grey Goral permits for the first time reflects the provincial government’s commitment to wildlife conservation and local development.
He further stated that the income generated through the trophy hunting program will be used for Wildlife protection, Promotion of biodiversity, and Socio-economic uplift of local Communities.
Pir Musavir Khan also stated that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, a “Rewilding Program” has been initiated to restore rare species such as Blackbuck, Chinkara, and Urial in the province. He added that in future, a “Green Hunt Program” will be launched to support wildlife research and conservation.
He appreciated Chief Conservator of Wildlife Dr Mohsin Farooq and his team for completing the auction process and ensuring record revenue.
Speaking about the Trophy Hunting Program, Secretary of Wildlife Shahid Zaman said that the initiative is simultaneously ensuring conservation of natural resources and the Welfare of local communities. He added that further measures are being taken for the promotion of wildlife in the province.
