The markhor, a wild goat with spiral-shaped horns, was seen in a rare appearance in Noorkha village of Boniyar in Baramulla district on Saturday morning, officials said.
An official said that locals spotted the animal near a waterfall in Noorkha, and soon alerted the authorities, following which a team of police and wildlife officials visited the spot.
He said that this rare species has been spotted in the area for the first time. “It may have crossed over from the other side of the border,” he speculated.
The official said that efforts are on to catch the animal to ensure its safety. Locals have been advised to avoid coming close to the operation site.
The markhor, a rare and endangered species, is native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—(KNO)
