Pakistan’s Markhor trophy hunt breaks global record

In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), the annual trophy hunting auction has once again stirred headlines, with an Astore markhor hunting permit fetching a record $370,000 — the highest bid ever in the region’s history.

The auction, conducted by the GB Wildlife and Parks Department, offered permits for 118 animals, including four Astore markhors, 100 Himalayan ibex, and 14 blue sheep, for the 2025–26 hunting season. 

A Historic Bid 

The star of the day was Shikar Safari’s owner, Raja Farhad Maqpoon, who placed the record-breaking $370,000 bid for hunting rights in the Nanga Parbat conservancy area.

The other three markhor permits also went for hefty amounts: $286,000, $270,000, and $240,000. For comparison, the highest bid in last year’s Chitral auction was $271,000, underscoring just how dramatically prices have soared. 

Permits for other prized species also saw significant bidding. Muhammad Ali Nagri from Markhor Safaris paid $40,000 for a blue sheep permit and $13,000 for a Himalayan ibex. The base prices this year were set at $200,000 for markhor, $30,000 for blue sheep, and $10,000 for ibex — a steep jump from last year’s rates. 

Read more: Spanish citizen pays Rs 1 crore 18 lakh to hunt markhor in Chitral

A Conservation Model Under Pressure 

The GB trophy hunting programme has long been hailed as a rare conservation success. Around 80 percent of the revenues go directly to local communities, funding schools, clinics, and development projects while incentivizing villagers to protect endangered species. But stakeholders warn that sharp fee hikes may backfire. 

Local outfitters argue that inflated rates are discouraging international hunters, minimizing participation and putting livelihoods at risk. Ikram Beg, a Gilgit-based outfitter, described the impacts as “devastating,” warning that trophy hunting could fade into history if treated purely as a commercial venture rather than a conservation tool. 

Similarly, Syed Sumsam Ali Bokhari, chairman of Safari Club International Pakistan Chapter, cautioned that Pakistan risks losing ground to competitors like Tajikistan and Mongolia, where hunting permits are still more affordable. 

For now, the record bid has filled coffers of the Gilgit-Baltistan and highlighted the markhor’s iconic status. Yet, behind the numbers lies an important question: will trophy hunting continue as a sustainable conservation model, or will soaring prices devastates the very foundations of its success?