Spanish national Gervasio Negrete Franco has successfully hunted a non-exportable Markhor in the Moleen Gol area, a buffer zone of Chitral Gol National Park. This marks the first-ever non-exportable hunt in this zone, underscoring its significance in wildlife conservation and community development.

Franco hunted a 45-inch trophy Markhor under the supervision of Chitral Gol National Park’s Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rizwan Ullah Yousufzai, CGCDCA Chairman Salim Uddin, and Wildlife Range Officer Shafiq Ahmad. The hunt was organized by Arcqos Safari and M K Safari.

The Spanish hunter paid a fee of $42,500 for the hunt, with the proceeds allocated to wildlife conservation and local development initiatives. Officials highlighted that the hunting program in buffer zones is designed to promote sustainable hunting practices while supporting conservation efforts and improving the livelihoods of local communities.

The Markhor’s skin and horns will remain the property of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Wildlife Department, in line with regulations.

Officials emphasized that this successful hunt demonstrates the effectiveness of community-based conservation programs. Regulated hunting not only helps protect endangered species like the Markhor but also provides financial incentives for local communities to safeguard wildlife habitats.