Markhor Imports

The USF&WS has just recognized and rewarded the world-class markhor program in Pakistan by issuing the first markhor trophy import permit in 15 years. The permit was issued on October 11 and received by Conservation Force, which handled it, on October 20, 2007. The proud hunter is Wayne Lau, who took the male flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri) from the Gaharet Markhor Conservancy in Pakistan in March, 2006.

It is a male flare-horned markhor, not the straight-horned subspecies that the USF&WS lists as “endangered”. It is the first markhor of any kind to be imported into the United States since all markhor were listed on Appendix I of CITES at COP8 in Kyoto, Japan in 1992, 15 years ago. It is also the first new U.S. import of any game trophy listed on Appendix I of CITES since 1996 when the USF&WS began permitting import of Botswana elephant hunting trophies – 11 years ago.
The hunter, Wayne Lau, explains that the permit is the culmination of more than two years of planning and hard work with Conservation Force. “I purposefully selected the markhor and made the hunt first for the conservation of the species and secondarily for the satisfaction of the hunt. Somebody had to do it. This is another instance where hunting is an indispensable tool for the conservation of a species. This initiative with Conservation Force has added the missing element so badly needed for the program to work and grow: U.S. hunters are the most important market, but have been unwilling to hunt unless they could bring their trophies home. We’ve now laid the groundwork for others to follow; for licensed, regulated hunting to fulfill its role as a true force for conservation in a case in which the need is exceptionally great.”

Phil Ripepi, President of the Conklin Foundation, a leading sportsmen’s conservation organization, expressed great elation. “The markhor is the logo of the Conklin Foundation, so we could not be more pleased. The markhor conservation program in Pakistan is cited by the Convention on Biodiversity as the example of ‘best practices’ in its Addis Ababa Guidelines and Principles for Sustainable Use. It is one of the greatest game animals in the world. With import permits, hunting can finally perform its proven role.”

Dennis Campbell, President of Grand Slam/OVIS, another prominent sportsmen’s conservation organization is equally elated. “Grand Slam/OVIS and the Conklin Foundation have both supported Conservation Force’s efforts since CITES COP12 when the CITES Parties increased the markhor hunting quota from 6 to 12 to expand the successful Torghor Project in Pakistan to other tribal areas in full recognition of the conservation success. The real beneficiaries of the USF&WS are the markhor themselves as well as the local Gaharet people who will ultimately determine the fate of the markhor. Who wants a cow that you can’t milk?”

“We are so proud of the role that Conservation Force has played in completing this part of the conservation circle for markhor,” said John J. Jackson III, the attorney for Conservation Force that filed and processed the permit application through appeal and approval. “It’s been a long, hard road. One of our founding board members, Dr. Bart O’Gara, helped conceptualize the markhor conservation strategy in the 80s when he was with the U.S. Extension Service. I’ve been working on it since 1992 when it was listed on Appendix I. No one envisioned it would stop trophy importation. Later, CITES adopted a quota to facilitate trophy trade.”

Jackson went on to state, “Credit is due to the USF&WS for their wisdom in granting the permit in the reconsideration/appeal process. In effect, they are rewarding all those instrumental in conserving the markhor for their strategy and work, and for setting a positive example for others. Credit is especially due Shikar Safari Club for its years of direct support of the program in Pakistan, including funding the formal education of some of the top wildlife leaders in Pakistan. No one has invested more over the years. WWF and the IUCN have also played pivotal advisory roles that may now come to fruition.”

The hunt itself has recently been described by Wayne Lau in Chasing the Hunter’s Dream by Jeffrey and Sherol Engol and James Swan (Harper Collins, 2007) which is available at Amazon.com and through all other major booksellers.

For more information, contact John J. Jackson III at jjw-no@att.net or by phone at 504-837-1233.