Population and distribution of flare-horned markhor (Capra falconeri falconeri Wagner 1839) in District Swat,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan

Studies were carried out on the population and distribution of 'near threatened' markhor sub species flare-horned markhor (capra falconeri falconeri wagner 1839) in district swat covering an area of 5337 km in 2013. the population survey was conducted in two phases i.e. december 21-24 in kalam and december 26-29 in mankial valleys. vintage point count surveys revealed that the markhor preferred habitats in kalam and mankial valleys in district swat. among the six sub valleys of kalam,only shahoo and mahodand valleys have some population of flare-horned markhor whereas in mankial the sub valleys of basharai,tanazgah and bara dara are the main habitats of this markhor. the total number of markhor recorded in kalam and mankial valleys was 136,out of which 84 were recorded in kalam valley and 52 in mankial valley. among the 84 animals found in kalam 26 were females,23 males of unidentifed horn size,12 young of six months and four yearling males of 18 months age; the number of males with more than 36//horn size was fve,18//to 36//and 18//horn size,seven each. while among the 52 animals observed in mankial 14 were female,15 males of unidentifed horn size,fve young of six months and fve yearling males of 18 months. three males had the horn size more than 36//,eight of 18//to 36//horn size and two of 18//horn size. © 2017 zoological society of pakistan.