Rare Sighting of Endangered Kashmir Markhor Confirmed in Jhelum Valley

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Wildlife officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have documented a significant breakthrough in the conservation of the Kashmir Markhor (Capra falconeri cashmiriensis). On January 15, 2026, field staff from the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries successfully recorded video evidence of the endangered wild goat within the Qazinag Game Reserve in the Jhelum Valley district.

The sighting, captured by game watcher Waqar Ayub Chughtai, provides visual confirmation of long-held local beliefs that the “Pir Panjal Markhor” still inhabits the rugged terrain along the Line of Control (LoC).

Two-Day Trek Discovery

The breakthrough followed a rigorous two-day tracking mission. On January 13, Chughtai and two colleagues camped in the reserve to investigate hoof marks they suspected belonged to a wild ungulate. After trailing the tracks through steep and nearly inaccessible slopes, the team finally spotted the Markhor at approximately 2:00 PM on Thursday.

According to Chughtai, the wild goat was observed moving near a flock of domestic goats but quickly shifted its path upon sensing human presence. The 37-second footage was shared with senior officials in Muzaffarabad once the team reached mobile coverage area, marking a rare moment of visual verification for a species that had long remained elusive.

Read About Recent Death Of Young Markhor Calf Passes Away at Pattika Wildlife Park

Conservation Significance & Legal Status

The Kashmir Markhor is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is strictly protected under the AJK Wildlife Act. Hunting or shooting this species is a severe offense, carrying heavy legal penalties.

Shaista Ali, a Muzaffarabad-based monitoring officer, confirmed the animal as a Pir Panjal Markhor. She noted that improved “watch-and-ward” measures and strengthened field surveillance have allowed the population to begin a slow recovery.

“Late October to January is the primary breeding season for Markhors,” Ali explained. “During this time, normally solitary adult males join female herds. Because they are a wild goat species, they can hybridize with domestic goats, making these sightings even more critical for monitoring the health of the wild population.”

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A Fragile Recovery

This sighting is the second major encounter in recent months. In late October 2025, a young Markhor calf was found in the Phaala Game Reserve (Haveli district). While that calf was moved to Patikka Wildlife Park for rehabilitation, its subsequent death in December has sparked discussions among conservationists regarding the specialized needs of this mountain-dwelling species.

The successful recording at Qazinag is seen as a “green light” for AJK’s ongoing conservation initiatives. It proves that despite the challenges of the LoC terrain, the “King of Goats” continues to hold its ground.

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