The markhor is Pakistan’s national animal and is often called the “King of the Mountains.” This rare wild goat is known for its strength, beauty, and impressive spiral shaped horns. The name markhor comes from Persian words meaning “snake eater,” inspired by the corkscrew look of its horns.
Markhor are mainly found in the northern and western mountain ranges of Pakistan, including Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Hunza, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They live at high altitudes, usually between 600 and 3,600 meters, and are well adapted to steep, rocky terrain.
A male markhor can weigh up to 110 kilograms and has long, twisted horns that can grow over five feet in length. Females are smaller and have shorter horns. Their coat is thick and helps them survive harsh winters in mountainous regions.
Markhor play an important role in the ecosystem by helping maintain vegetation balance in mountain areas. However, they were once listed as endangered due to illegal hunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts, community based wildlife programs, and strict hunting laws have helped improve their population in recent years.
In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature downgraded the markhor from endangered to near threatened, marking a major success for wildlife protection in Pakistan.
The markhor is more than just an animal. It is a symbol of Pakistan’s natural beauty, resilience, and rich wildlife heritage, proudly representing the country on national emblems and conservation platforms.
