Asian Highlands

Range:

The markhor is a unique species of goat found in the mountains of Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. They inhabit upper elevations, with vegetation as their food source. They are skilled climbers and will scale steep rocky terrain to escape predators such as snow leopards and wolves.

Habitat:

Markhors survive on the steep arid hillsides of the Himalayan Mountains in Central Asia, including the countries of Tajikistan and Afghanistan. In the summer months, they can be found as high as 13,000 feet above sea level, foraging on grasses; in the winter, they avoid deep snow.

Characteristics:

Markhors are the largest of the wild goat species. They have broad hooves and striking spiral horns that can grow to 5 feet long in mature males; female horns are smaller, around 2 feet. The markhor’s coat is reddish gray with a dark stripe running the length of its back. Males have thick, long beards, manes and tufts of hair on their legs, while females may only have thin, short beards.

Both male and female markhors have tightly curled, corkscrew-like horns. They start close together at their heads and spread outwards at the tips. 

Behavior:

Female markhors live in herds while males only join herds during the breeding season. Markhors are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Their wide hooves help them maintain stable footing when climbing their mountainous habitat. During the warm spring and summer months, they migrate to higher altitudes on the mountains. During the late fall, they descend to lower altitudes to graze on more plentiful vegetation at the tree line.

Conservation:

Markhor populations have been steadily declining over the past 40 years. Today, only about 2,500 of these animals remain in the Western Himalayas. Markhors’ distinctive horns are a big part of their downfall: they are prized both among trophy hunters and for use in Asian medicine. In the summer, markhors live high up in the mountains in places that are difficult for people to reach. During the winter months, when these animals move to lower elevations in search of food, they are heavily hunted by humans.