Pakistan, May 24 -- The International Day of the Markhor is being observed worldwide today, May 24, to raise awareness about protecting one of Central and South Asia's most iconic and endangered wild species. The day, officially declared by the United Nations in 2024, also honors the markhor's status as Pakistan's national animal.

The markhor (Capra falconeri), with its unique spiral horns, lives in high-altitude forests and rocky terrain between 600 and 3,600 meters. It is found in the mountainous regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The species plays a key ecological role and is also a cultural symbol in several countries.

Despite its importance, the markhor faces growing threats such as i...