Markhor
Capra falconeri
The markhor is a large wild goat that inhabits the steep mountains of Central Asia, moving with remarkable agility across rocky cliffs and rugged slopes. Males are easily recognised by their impressive spiral horns, which are used in contests during the breeding season to compete for females. Once severely threatened by hunting and habitat loss, the species is now protected through conservation programmes that have helped several wild populations recover.
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
EEP Project
This species is included in EAZA’s (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) EEP programme for breeding endangered species.
Lives in Afghanistan, India (Jammu-Kashmir),Pakistan,Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Fun Fact
A Coveted Trophy
The beauty of adult males’ horns is their main threat.
They are killed both legally by trophy hunters and illegally by poachers, who sell their skin, horns, and meat.


