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- Markhor
Markhor
Artiodactyla, Bovidae
Capra falconeri
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The Markhor is a relative of the goat that lives in high, mountainous areas. Its numbers are declining because its beautiful horns are prized by hunters.
Body length: 130-180cm
Tail length: 8-14cm
Weight: Male 80-110kg/Female 32-50kg
(Source: Doubutsu Sekai-isan* Red Data Animals Kodansha) (*World Animal Heritage)
The Markhor lives in mountainous areas in central and southern Asia.
During the summer, the Markhor eats grass. During the winter, when the grass dies off, it eats the leaves and branches of trees.
The Markhor is big for a goat, but like most goats it is very sure-footed, and runs around rugged, rocky areas with ease.
Find out more about the Markhor!
Beautiful horns are a target for hunters
The Markhor is a relative of the goat that lives in high, mountainous areas. Its most noticeable feature is the male's corkscrew-shaped horns. The males bang their huge, thick horns against each other when they fight over females in spectacular battles. However, their horns are greatly sought after by some people. The numbers of Markhor have dropped quickly because they are hunted by people who want to keep the horns as trophies.
Food stolen by its own relatives!
The Markhor is thought to be one of the ancestors of the goats that are used for livestock today. You could say that goats are relatives of the Markhor. Despite this fact, goats are now causing big problems for the Markhor. As pasture land spreads into areas where the Markhor lives, it has to compete for food with goats. More and more Markhor are also having babies with goats, which is another reason why their numbers are not recovering.
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