Markhor

The Markhor (Capra falconeri) is a goat-antelope found in sparse woodland in the Western Himalayas. Markhor stand 65 to 115 centimetres (26 to 45 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 32 to 110 kilograms (71 to 240 lb) lighter tan colour with the same white underbelly and pattern on the legs, as well as a black face and a large amount of long shaggy white fur on their neck and chest which can grow to knee-length. Both sexes have corkscrew-shaped horns which can grow up to 160 cm (64 inches) long in males, and up to 25 centimetres (10 in) in females. Markhor are found at altitudes of 600–3,600 meters where they eat grass, leaves, and whatever other vegetative matter they can find, often standing on their hind legs to reach the top leaves of trees. Markhor are crepuscular, active in the early morning and late afternoon. Females gather in herds of up to nine individuals and males are normally solitary. During mating season, males fight each other for the attention of females. These fights involve lunging until the two males' horns are locked together, and then twisting and pushing until one male falls. Markhor sound much like the domestic goat. The animal is largely found in the Northern Areas of Pakistan especially in Chitral, Ghizar and Hunza regions. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has classified the Markhor as an endangered species, meaning it is in danger of facing extinction in the near future if conservation efforts are not maintained. Numbers between 2,000 and 4,000 exist in the wild. The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.