American national pays $271,000 for Kashmir markhor hunt

American hunter Ronald Joe Whitton paid $271,000 to hunt a Kashmir markhor in Chitral, the highest amount ever recorded in Pakistan's trophy hunting program.

Whitton obtained the permit in October and hunted the 11-year-old markhor with 49-inch-long horns at the Toshi-Shasha conservancy.

According to divisional forest officer of Chitral wildlife division, this marked the first hunt of the current season.

“Another trophy hunting will be carried out in the same conservancy at the same price, while the third will be carried out in the month of March next year, but at a lower price of 231,000 US dollars,” he said. 

The trophy hunting program, introduced in the 1990s, allocates 80% of its income to the local community, supporting both conservation efforts and regional development.

While the program has attracted international hunters to Pakistan’s northern regions, it remains a subject of controversy globally.

Critics argue it promotes the killing of rare animals for sport, while conservationists highlight its role in reducing illegal hunting and empowering local communities.

Markhors, Pakistan’s national animal, typically inhabit altitudes of 8,000–11,000 feet but descend to lower altitudes during the winter months, coinciding with the hunting season.

The program continues to draw significant attention for balancing economic benefits with wildlife preservation.