After a two-year hiatus, trophy hunting of the Punjab urial, the national animal of the province, has officially resumed in Pakistan. The first successful hunt took place in the Chakwal area, where an American hunter paid a hefty Rs6 million for the privilege. The Ministry of Climate Change issued 16 permits for hunting the Punjab urial, which were auctioned by Punjab Wildlife.
These permits generated a total of $3.28 million (about Rs91.5 million), with each permit selling for $20,500, plus a $500 fee. This brought the total cost of each permit to approximately Rs5.86 million. Most permits were purchased by outfitters, who resell them to hunters.
Thanks to the efforts of Punjab Wildlife authorities, the population of the Punjab urial in the Salt Range has significantly increased. This growth allowed the first successful hunt, with the urial’s horns measuring a healthy 30 inches. Hunters are given one week to complete their hunt.
The two-year pause in trophy hunting was due to the registration of Community-Based Conservancies (CBCs). However, under the leadership of Mudasir Riaz Malik, the Director General of Punjab Wildlife, the registration process has now been completed, making the return of trophy hunting possible. This marks a major milestone in wildlife management in Pakistan.
A spokesperson from Punjab Wildlife confirmed that 80% of the revenue generated from these trophy hunting permits will go to local CBCs. These funds will be reinvested into wildlife conservation, protection, and efforts to boost wildlife populations in their areas. This approach demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to balancing sustainable hunting practices with wildlife preservation and community support.
