Occurrence and population Estimates of Himalayan Ibex (Capra Ibex Sibirica) in Chitral district, Pakistan

The current study investigated the distribution and population of Himalayan Ibex (Capra Ibex sibirica) in the Chitral area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The distribution of the species was determined by conducting field surveys of the study area fortnightly from September 2017 to March 2018. Direct and indirect signs of the species were searched at different sampling sites. The population of the species was estimated by using the “Vantage Point Count” method. The results revealed the occurrence of Himalayan Ibex at only two sampling sites in the study area, where field sightings, and faecal pellets of the species, were recorded. The study concludes that there is a low population of Himalayan Ibex in the study area, where a total of 51 individuals of the species were counted at two sites including 23 individuals at Jubistal site and 28 at the Rorigal Pasteur site. The study recommends investigating the causes of this low population and taking measures to increase the population of Himalayan Ibex.