KP Wildlife announces trophy hunting scheme of common leopard black bear

PESHAWAR: The Wildlife department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced trophy hunting scheme of common leopard and black bear with the objective of reducing danger to human being and livestock in the wake of increasing population of both the wild species in the province.

The scheme announced in patron with already existing Trophy Hunting scheme for Markhor (Wild Goat) will be restricted only to harmful leopards and bears said Niaz Ahmad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Wildlife Headquarters Peshawar.

The decision has been taken due to increasing incidents of human carnivore conflicts in Galliyat and other forests of KP Niaz added.

Niaz said due to increase in population of common leopards in Galliyat especially Ayubia National Park the incidents of human carnivore conflicts is frequently reported.

In some cases human loss is reported due attack by animal on population especially women and children.

For launching of Trophy Hunting for harmful leopard and bear the Wildlife department has floated advertisement in newspapers seeking bids from professional hunters both national and international.

About the number of animals to be killed under the scheme Niaz said it will be decided after evaluation of complaints about animal attacks on human being and livestock.

DFO Wildlife said in KP common leopard population is significant in Galliyat while black bear presence is in abundance in upper Hazara division Battagram and Shangla districts.

The value of hunting permits would be finalized on basis of bids submitted by hunters Niaz informed. He said permits will be allotted to hunters on basis of first come first serve basis.

The Markhor Trophy hunting has shown very positive result in conservation of the wild specie he continued.

Markhor a wild goat with long spiral horns was once a critically endangered specie in Pakistan but now we have the largest population of the wild specie Niaz remarked.

He said locals were involved in conservation of Markhor by providing them financial help from the amount received from hunters for hunting of the animal.

About 80 percent of the total amount received from hunters is distributed on developmental schemes in localities where hunting was carried out and remaining 20 percent is submitted in the national kitty.

DFO Wildlife informed that last year the highest bid for hunting permit for Markhor was sold at dollar 110 000 (Rs 11 million).

In the same way the amount received from hunters for hunting of leopard and bear will be distributed on the well being of communities of the area where hunting is carried out.

He expressed the hope that Trophy hunting of leopard and bear will also give positive result in involvement of communities in conservation of the wild species.