The Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife and Parks Department has auctioned hunting permits for 117 trophy animals for the 2026-27 trophy hunting season, generating significant revenue from permits for some of the region’s most valuable wildlife species.
The auction, held on Thursday, saw particularly strong demand for Astore markhor permits, with the highest permit selling for $356,000. The price highlights the growing financial value attached to regulated trophy hunting programmes in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The second Astore markhor permit was sold for $301,000, while a third permit fetched $294,000. These figures placed Astore markhor permits among the most expensive hunting opportunities offered during the auction.
In addition to the newly auctioned permits, one Astore markhor permit had been carried over from the previous hunting season, adding to the permits available for the species.
The trophy hunting programme in Gilgit-Baltistan is conducted under a regulated system in which permits are issued for selected wildlife species. The programme is intended to generate funds while supporting wildlife conservation and benefiting local communities living in areas where trophy species are found.
The high prices recorded during the latest auction also demonstrate the international interest in trophy hunting opportunities in the mountainous region. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to several rare and highly valued wildlife species, making its conservation areas attractive to licensed international and domestic hunters.
The auction of 117 permits for the 2026-27 season is expected to provide substantial financial resources for conservation-related activities. A portion of revenue generated through regulated trophy hunting is generally directed toward communities and wildlife management initiatives in designated areas.
The Astore markhor, a subspecies of markhor found in the northern mountainous areas of Pakistan, remains one of the region’s most sought-after trophy animals. Its conservation status and limited population make the management of hunting permits particularly important.
The latest auction results have once again placed Gilgit-Baltistan’s trophy hunting programme in the spotlight, with the $356,000 Astore markhor permit emerging as the highest-value permit sold during the event.
