Leopard captured after six wild hours in Islamabad residential area

[KingKhanWC]

A serial trophy hunter who smirks with corpses of endangered animals has paid $100,000 (£78,000) to kill an extremely rare species of goat for the fourth time.

American John Amistoso, 64 - who made his money transforming a mom and pop store into a multi-million dollar appliance empire - travelled to Pakistan last week to hunt his fourth markhor, the country's national animal.

Fewer than 6,000 of the beasts, also known as 'screw horn goats', exist in the wild and most live among the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Mr Amistoso, who owns 11 Freds Appliance Inc. stores in Idaho, Washington state, and Montana, is thought to have gunned down the markhor last Saturday in the Bunji area of northern Pakistan.

He was given license to kill by Pakistani officials, who issued permits for hunters to shoot four markhors.

The government auctioned hunting permits for the rare animals in October.

Bidding started at $100,000 for a markhor, $8,000 for a blue sheep and $720 (£560) for an ibex, local reports suggest.

Money raised from the hunts are channeled back into the community and mountain region where the animals are hunted.

It's the fourth time the American has travelled to the mountainous region to hunt the rare animal.

Two posts on a page called Grand Slam Club showed Mr Amistonso posing with the bodies of Suleiman and Kashmir - two other subspecies of markhor - in January and March of 2017.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...l-rare-goat-Pakistan.html?ito=social-facebook



Pakistan alllows such disgusting people to legally hunt the rare national animal of the country. Disgraceful stuff by Pakistan.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Had me worried there, was thinking what has our respected PP contributor done to be gunned down on one of his rare visits back to Pakistan?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

OT, that's a magnificent creature, I find it absolutely disgusting that Pakistan authorities are allowing any Tom Dick or Harun to come in and gun down the local wildlife if they wave enough cash. No wonder the country is seen as a failed state when they can't even value their own landscape and heritage.

 

[KingKhanWC]

OT, that's a magnificent creature, I find it absolutely disgusting that Pakistan authorities are allowing any Tom Dick or Harun to come in and gun down the local wildlife if they wave enough cash. No wonder the country is seen as a failed state when they can't even value their own landscape and heritage.

I know the Pakistani economy is in trouble and it's a lot of money ($100,000 for a markhor) but if these beautiful creatures become extinct it tarnish Pakistan forever.

Does Imran Khan even knows of this and what is his government doing to protect rare animals in Pakistan?

 

[YousafTheBeast]

How is this even allowed in the Islamic republic of Pakistan?

How can you kill an animal for fun?

Wonder if Pakistan authorities allowed him to take the head back home?

 

[Bewal Express]

Disgusting

 

[JaDed]

Didn't you support killing of rare birds by Arabs? Or I'm mistaken on that?

 

[Pakistanian]

Killing the national animal is like blasphemy, if somebody killed a bald eagle in America nobody would let that slide, they would face serious consequences. This guy and his enables should all be imprisoned.

 

[troodon]

Those horns look bigger than the hunter.

That's an absolute beast of a Goat. A Goat on steroids.

 

[Greenstorm]

I know the Pakistani economy is in trouble and it's a lot of money ($100,000 for a markhor) but if these beautiful creatures become extinct it tarnish Pakistan forever.

Does Imran Khan even knows of this and what is his government doing to protect rare animals in Pakistan?

IK himself loved shikar.

 

[cricketjoshila]

When the govt is giving licenses or tather auctioning them, wherr is the question of imprisoning the hunter comes from?

 

[JaDed]

Houbara Bustard*

 

[JaDed]

When the govt is giving licenses or tather auctioning them, wherr is the question of imprisoning the hunter comes from?

Yup just read the line..

"He was given license to kill by Pakistani officials, who issued permits for hunters to shoot four markhors"

 

[tonmoy]

What an abomination...
I am more ****** at Pakistan for giving such a licence.

 

[Sirris]

This is shameful if it's government approved, expected better from IK and the new govt.

 

[The Viper]

Despicable. An endangered species should be looked after not given away like this.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Houbara Bustard*

That was reported quite extensively by the Pak liberal press back in 2016, possibly because it was Arab hunters involved. I'm surprised that this was left to the Daily Mail to run the lead story. Have the liberal press in Pakistan been silenced by the PTI???

 

[CricketCartoons]

The head will look magnificent as wall decor. Should increase hunting tourism and make it a profitable business.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

This is shameful if it's government approved, expected better from IK and the new govt.

This event actually occcured in March 2017, when PMLN was in governance.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

That was reported quite extensively by the Pak liberal press back in 2016, possibly because it was Arab hunters involved. I'm surprised that this was left to the Daily Mail to run the lead story. Have the liberal press in Pakistan been silenced by the PTI???

Again, this was done in 2017, PTI wasn’t in power.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

IK himself loved shikar.

Imran Khan’s purpose of hunting was to eat, not to hang the head of a goat on his wall.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Imran Khan’s purpose of hunting was to eat, not to hang the head of a goat on his wall.

If purpose was to eat, he could have bought the meat instead. Hunting has its own pleasure.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Imran Khan’s purpose of hunting was to eat, not to hang the head of a goat on his wall.

His purpose of hunting was to kill wild boars, I doubt he would have wanted to eat them as the boar is of the pig lineage.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

If purpose was to eat, he could have bought the meat instead. Hunting has its own pleasure.

I’m sure he’s found the pleasure in hunting animals with his rifle, which is acceptable as long as he intends to eat.
What isn’t acceptable is killing an animal that’s on the endangered list, and that too just to mount the head on your wall.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

His purpose of hunting was to kill wild boars, I doubt he would have wanted to eat them as the boar is of the pig lineage.

When exactly did he hunt to kill wild boars?

 

[Madplayer]

"Islamic" republic of Pakistan for you. Killings or harming animals for any reason other than for consumption is prohibited so how on earth can you allow this nonsense. The other day i read a hadith where a woman was doomed to hell for torturing a cat. This should draw outrage.

 

[Madplayer]

If purpose was to eat, he could have bought the meat instead. Hunting has its own pleasure.

True. People defend everything IK does. If he has realized the mistake and stopped doing it then all fine.

 

[CricketCartoons]

"Islamic" republic of Pakistan for you. Killings or harming animals for any reason other than for consumption is prohibited so how on earth can you allow this nonsense. The other day i read a hadith where a woman was doomed to hell for torturing a cat. This should draw outrage.

Consuming meat in moderation is a sunnah, but so many muslims have it everyday and proud of it.

 

[ExpressPacer]

True. People defend everything IK does. If he has realized the mistake and stopped doing it then all fine.

As someone else stated, this happened before IK was in power. Perhaps the auction or the hunting.. So, we can't really blame him for this. As for his personal hunting endeavors, sure, I agree.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Consuming meat in moderation is a sunnah, but so many muslims have it everyday and proud of it.

Correct. Its a pity. It is to treated as a delicacy and something consumed on festivities, like Eid. Not everyday. Not every week. Not every month even.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Money raised from the hunts are channeled back into the community and mountain region where the animals are hunted

This is an age-old debate. Should hunting be allowed if the money raised through it actually helps protect the endangered animal in the long run?

 

[CricketCartoons]

This is an age-old debate. Should hunting be allowed if the money raised through it actually helps protect the endangered animal in the long run?

The hunting community in general are responsible people and help in maintaining the ecosystem. They don't hunt the young or pregnant animals, and restrict hunting during the seasons only. of course this doesn't include those who hunt the Big Five games, who should be shot with a camera only.

 

[MenInG]

From a Muslim point of view, killing animals for purpose of feeding oneself is totally ok. Trophy hunting has no place in our religion.

In fact keeping animals in captivity is also looked down upon.

 

[Major]

This event actually occcured in March 2017, when PMLN was in governance.

It happened again this year aswell.

He was the first hunter of this season aswell.

Funny how guys here are complaining about an american hunting

Just recently even a pakistani senator was also hunting this animal.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Absolutely pathetic.

Hunting as a sport should be banned in Pakistan.

 

[Theo_14]

Ironically, Imran Khan posted a video promoting “North Pak” this included scenes of Markhor. I hope authorities can take a serious stance against hunting.

 

[Sachin136]

Quite funny to see the hypocritical outrage over hunting, even though no one has problems with killing animals for food.

 

[Major]

Quite funny to see the hypocritical outrage over hunting, even though no one has problems with killing animals for food.

Please do bother to read the thread and understand the context before even bother to post.

1. The specie being discussed is an endangered one

2. Its the national animal of pakistan.

 

[Madplayer]

Consuming meat in moderation is a sunnah, but so many muslims have it everyday and proud of it.

Muslims were always supposed to be semi-vegetarians. But it wasn't convenient enough for some.

 

[Madplayer]

As someone else stated, this happened before IK was in power. Perhaps the auction or the hunting.. So, we can't really blame him for this. As for his personal hunting endeavors, sure, I agree.

Yes i was pointing towards his personal endeavors.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Quite funny to see the hypocritical outrage over hunting, even though no one has problems with killing animals for food.

That is because Pakistanis are majority Muslim, for them killing animals for food is fine. If any of those expressing outrage are Pakistani Hindus, then I too condemn their hypocrisy.

 

[PakLFC]

Naya Pakistan? The more it changes the greater it remains the same.

 

[Hassaan HS]

Markhor population doubles in 3 decades in Pakistan

LAHORE:

When the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified markhor, or wild goat, as an endangered species in Pakistan, the northwestern provincial administration worked hard to protect its population, which has more than doubled in the last three decades.

As the world celebrated World Wildlife Day on Thursday, the local community organised workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the importance of protecting markhor. They pledged to preserve the animal from illegal hunting and to work with the government to protect wildlife.

Pakistan is well-known for its markhor, which is distinguished by its nimble and sure-footed nature, as well as its long winter coat and massive spiral horns that can reach more than 1.5m (150 inches) in length on males.

They inhabit the highest mountains and can be found in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province's Chitral, Kohistan, and Kalam regions, as well as the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Markhor was listed as an endangered species by the IUCN in 1994 due to overhunting for meat and horns, and its population number was estimated to be less than 2,500 at the time. However, according to the most recent government data, there are between 5,000 and 6,000 wild goats.

"We have created the best model of community conservators," Muhammad Altaf Ali Shah, divisional forest officer in Wildlife Department's Chitral office, told Anadolu Agency.

"The department issues licenses to hunt only older markhors. We do not allow the hunter to shoot females or newborns," Shah said.

Hunting female markhor or young babies is prohibited, he said, adding, "According to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Act 2015, any hunter who kills a female or a young markhor faces a six-year prison sentence or a fine of up to 150,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $850), or both."

The government uses the license money, which is in US dollars, to support local communities by building schools, mosques, health centres, and even providing scholarships to local students, the official said.

These incentives encourage local communities to avoid killing markhor and instead push them to care for the wild goats, he explained.

"The most recent markhor hunt license was sold for $160,000," Salahuddin Jamaluddin, a divisional forest officer in Wildlife Department's Peshawar office, told Anadolu Agency.

"We spend 80% of the money on the local community, who help us with our conservation efforts, and 20% on the government for administrative expenses," he explained.

Salahuddin said: "The locals have few job opportunities because the terrain is hilly and occasionally snow-covered. However, by conserving markhor, the locals may now earn a living while also preserving the animal."

He added that his wild goat has been a source of income for them as they have worked their way out of poverty.

Pledges on World Wild Life Day

The name markhor comes from the Persian language and means "snake eater." There are about five different types of markhor, with Astor markhor and Kashmiri markhor being the most popular for hunting.

"In early 2000, we began our nationwide campaign of seminars, workshops, and local gatherings. With the passage of time, the locals realised that it is essential for their benefit as well to save this beautiful species," Shah said.

"On World Wildlife Day, we gather them all in different areas and they make pledges to protect this animal at all costs, and most of the time locals notify us of illegal hunting," the official added.

When a foreigner hunts a markhor, he keeps the animal's horns as a trophy, but the meat is given to the locals, and everyone celebrates the hunt.

"One markhor meat can weigh over 110 kilograms at times, and it is distributed among all the people who assist the hunter," said Sajmal Yoodon, a local who accompanied a foreign documentary filmmaker to film on markhor in 2019.

"At the feast, they're all having a great time together. This is another opportunity to promote local brotherhood and harmony," he added.

"We have a very strong attachment for this animal because it symbolises the pride of our country," he said, referring to Pakistan’s national animal.

"When you set your eyes on this animal for the first time, it gives you a mixed feeling of adventure and fear," he said of his hunting experience.

"It took us eight days to complete the hunt because if you miss your first fired bullet, the animal flees to its caverns in the upper mountains and takes days to return," he added.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/234636...RCMHZFeS1HVnpTSTdlOXdJV19VSmJRbzRROVktUFZYUlI

 

[KingKhanWC]

Great to hear, amazing animal of Pakistan.

 

[daytrader]

Leopard captured after six wild hours in Islamabad residential area

It took the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board and Capital Development Authority more than five hours to capture a leopard which possibly escaped from a safari park and found itself “trapped” in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) amid panicked residents.

The IWMB after failing to lure the animal into a cage had to use a tranquiliser around 10pm to sedate the animal after it was confined in a closed space by the volunteers and staffers present on the spot. According to Rina Saeed Khan, who heads the wildlife board, the leopard would be kept at a rescue centre in the Rescue Centre, which used to be the Islamabad zoo. IWMB chief was coordinating with the commissioner by the time this report went to press.

Around 4pm, videos started making rounds on social media showing the feline running around in the housing society. These clips showed the leopard – also panicked – trying to flee the scene, but it ended up running into houses and scaling walls.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1737529/l...-six-wild-hours-in-islamabad-residential-area