Markhor |ForumIAS

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Source: This post on Markhor has been created based on the article “Markhor: Preserve world’s largest goat in J&K” published in Greater Times on 5th November 2024.

Why in news?

The Markhor is currently fighting for survival in Jammu and Kashmir.

Aspects	Description
About	1. The Markhor is scientifically known as Capra falconeri. 2. Markhor is the largest wild goat in world. 3. It is known for its thick fur, flowing beard and corkscrew horns.
Physical Features	1. Markhors are known for their distinctive spiral-shaped horns, which can grow up to 160 cm (63 inches) in males. 2. They have long, thick fur that varies from brown to grey, providing camouflage in rocky environments. 3. Male markhors can weigh between 80-110 kg (176-243 lbs), while females are smaller, weighing around 32-50 kg (70-110 lbs).
Habitat	1. They primarily inhabit mountainous regions at altitudes ranging from 600 to 3,600 meters (2,000 to 11,800 feet). 2. They are found in parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Tajikistan.
Diet	Markhors are herbivores, mainly grazing on grasses, leaves, and herbs. In winter, they consume woody plants when other vegetation is scarce.
Behaviour	They are social animals, often found in small groups. While males are usually solitary or in small bachelor groups, females and young tend to stay together in larger herds.
Threat	Major threats include illegal hunting for their horns, loss of habitat due to human activities, and competition for food with livestock.
Conservation Status	The Markhor is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Population numbers have been impacted by habitat loss, poaching, and competition with domestic livestock.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

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