GILGIT: In what is being described as the highest bid in Pakistan’s history, a record $370,000 (approximately Rs105 million) was placed on Wednesday for the trophy hunting of the country’s national animal, the markhor, in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The bid was secured by Zoom Hunting, a leading outfitter.
Previously, the highest bid for a markhor hunting permit was $271,000, offered in October 2024 for a hunt in Chitral’s Toshi-Shasha conservancy.
The latest auction was organised by the Gilgit-Baltistan Parks and Wildlife Department under the 2025-26 trophy hunting season. It drew participation from national and international outfitters as well as representatives from local Community-Controlled Hunting Areas (CCHAs).
During the auction, permits were offered for several species, including the markhor, ibex, and blue sheep. An ibex hunting permit was sold for $14,000.
In addition to the record-setting bid, the second-highest bid also went for a markhor trophy in GB’s Tangir-Khanbari area of Diamer district, fetching $286,000 and won by Wild Hunting. The third-highest bid, also for a markhor in Tangir, secured $240,000 and was won by Shikar Safari.
Officials said that 80 percent of trophy hunting revenue goes directly to local communities, with the remaining 20 percent deposited with the government treasury. The programme is widely regarded as a key initiative for both wildlife conservation and community development in the region.