The Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife and Parks Department has auctioned hunting permits for 117 animals for the 2026-27 trophy hunting season, with one permit for an Astore markhor fetching $356,000.

The auction was held at the Forest, Parks and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit and attracted a large number of hunters and outfitters.

Three Astore markhor permits were auctioned, with the highest bid reaching $356,000. The other two permits were sold for $301,000 and $294,000, respectively. An additional Astore markhor permit had been carried forward from the previous hunting season.

The auction also included permits for 14 blue sheep and 100 Himalayan ibexes.

According to Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife Zakir Hussain, the highest bid for an exportable blue sheep permit was $31,200, while the lowest was $25,100.

For Himalayan ibexes, the highest exportable permit in the prime category fetched $13,200, compared with a lowest bid of $11,500.

The department expects to generate around Rs. 650 million from trophy hunting during the 2026-27 season, which will run from October 15, 2026, to April 10, 2027.