Markhor Hunting Permit Auctioned for Highest Ever Price of $70,000

A trophy hunting permit for Pakistan’s national animal, the Markhor, has set a new record by fetching $370,000 (Rs100 million) during an auction in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The annual trophy hunting auction, organized under the region’s conservation program, witnessed historic bidding as the most expensive permit for hunting an Astore Markhor in the Nanga Parbat Conservancy Area was secured by the owner of Shikhar Safaris.

The event was held at the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit, drawing participation from national and international hunters, wildlife experts, and organizers. Alongside Markhor, permits for other rare species were also auctioned.

For the 2025-26 hunting season, officials confirmed that 118 permits were issued, including 4 for Astore Markhor, 100 for Himalayan Ibex, and 14 for Blue Sheep.

According to the Wildlife Department, “80 percent of the revenue generated from the trophy hunting program is given to local communities so they can spend it on wildlife conservation, local development projects, and tourism promotion.”

This model has been praised globally for balancing conservation with community development, ensuring that local populations directly benefit from wildlife protection.