Marco Polo Sheep population declining in Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Officials from the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of Badakhshan province have reported a decline in the population of the Marco Polo sheep and the Ibex, based on a survey conducted in the country’s second national park.

This survey highlights the risk of these species facing a significant population decrease.

Amanullah Hasan, the head of the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock in Badakhshan, stated that the survey was conducted in the Big Pamir region of Wakhan district to assess the living conditions of these animals.

Mr. Hasan added that the survey covered valleys such as Gharbin, Kandor, Nakhsher Sheet, Manjilaq, Jalmasir, Alisu, Dida Spoon, Jin Ali, Moristan, and the hunting grounds of Big Pamir in Wakhan district, Badakhshan. The team used binoculars to monitor herds of Marco Polo sheep and Ibex at altitudes higher than 4,000 meters above sea level.

According to the observations, the technical team found that, compared to the 2021 data from WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), the population of these rare animals has decreased due to habitat overcrowding and living conditions. The increasing human population and environmental challenges are contributing factors.

The head of Badakhshan’s Department of Agriculture also pointed out that hunting and livestock encroachment on the habitat of these rare animals are the primary causes of the population decline.

The Marco Polo sheep is considered one of the rarest animals globally, and its presence in the Pamir region of Wakhan, Badakhshan, has historically attracted international tourists.

These sheep roam the border areas of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and China. However, their population decline threatens not only the region’s biodiversity but also the local tourism industry. Immediate conservation efforts are necessary to protect these endangered species and their habitats.

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