The World Wide Fund-WWF on Wednesday caught the rare sight of 50 Himalayan Ibex in Gilgit Baltistan. A her of Himalayan ibex was found at Passu Cones in Hunza.
The Himalayan Ibex is indigenous to the Karakoram and Himalayan range. WWF in its social media post asserted that the spotting of Himalayan Ibex shows the relentless efforts of the organization, local community, and local wildlife department.
It also shows that the ecosystem in the region is becoming favorable to flourish the flora and fauna. It is hoped that the ecosystem can support large predators like snow leopards, lynx, and wolves as well.
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The organization had captured Himalayan ibex with a wildlife photographer to document how the local communities have protected the wildlife in the area, the statement issues by WWF read.
The species usually live at an altitude of about 3,660 to over 5,000 meters but comes down to 2,135 meters during snow in search of food and water.
The population of Himalayan ibex in Pakistan was extinct in recent years but after the concerted efforts of the local community and wildlife department, the population of the species in the northern mountains of Pakistan is increasing gradually.
The current government is also hopeful to protect the endangered wildlife animals in Pakistan.
Himalayan Brown Bear in Gilgit Baltistan
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan also had shared a rare video of Himalayan Brown Bear spotted in Gilgit Baltistan. The premier posted a video on his Twitter account. The Himalayan Brown Bear was spotted in the recently announced Karakoram/Himalayan National Park.
As a result of continued and concerted efforts of the local community, #Gilgit-Baltistan Wildlife Department and WWF, a significant increase has been recorded in their population.
— WWF-Pakistan (@WWFPak) January 14, 2021
In his social media message, PM Imran Khan boasted about the rich fauna in the region. The government aims to protect rare wild species like Himalayan Brown Bear and Marco Polo Sheep found in the northern part of Pakistan, informed PM Khan. The video shows a Himalayan Brown Bear crawling in the snow.
“The Himalayan Brown Bear in Pakistan’s just announced Karakoram National Park. Other rare species that will be protected in this National Park will be the Snow Leopard and the magnificent Marco Polo sheep,” wrote PM Khan in his tweet.
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In December 2020, Khan had announced two new national parks in the Gilgit-Baltistan region under his Protected Areas Initiatives aimed at the protection and preservation of Pakistan’s natural assets. The two new national parks namely are- Himalaya National Park and Nanga Parbat National Park.