There are estimated to be less than 2,500 markhor remaining in the wild, with each sub-population comprising less than 250 individuals. The main cause of the precipitous decline has been excessive hunting, both for meat and for its impressive horns. Owing to the occurrence of armed conflict and the ready availability of weapons through much of its range, many populations have been hunted to extinction. In addition to being highly valued as a trophy species by sportsmen, the horns are also used for traditional medicine in the East Asian market. Aside from hunting, the markhor is also severely threatened by habitat loss and competition for food with domestic livestock. |
