Markhor Markhor The markhor ("Capra falconeri"; "marǧūmi"; Persian/Urdu: ), also known as the screw horn goat, is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan, northern and central Pakistan, India(only Jammu & Kashmir), southern Tajikistan, eastern Turkmenistan, southern Uzbekistan and in the Himalayas. The species was classed by the IUCN as Endangered until 2015 when it was downgraded to Near Threatened, as their numbers have increased in recent years by an estimated 20% for the last decade. The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan. The colloquial name is thought by some to be derived from the
Astor markhor Astor markhor The Astor markhor or flare-horned markhor ("Capra falconeri falconeri") is a subspecies of the markhor, native to Kashmir and northern Pakistan. To the west it reaches the easternmost parts of Afghanistan. The range of the Astor markhor is very scattered. At one time considered an "endangered species", conservation efforts have had some success and the largest subpopulation in Pakistan may now exceed 1000 individuals. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its status as "near-threatened". The Astor markhor lives in the scrubland and open woodland that clothe the rugged slopes of the mountains