[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51499-51500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24760]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-day Finding on
Petition to Reclassify the Straight-horned Markhor Population of the
Torghar Region of Balochistan, Pakistan from Endangered to Threatened
and Initiation of Status Review for Markhor
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of petition finding.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
90-day finding that a petition to change the classification of the
straight-horned markhor population of the Torghar Hills region of
Balochistan Province, Pakistan from endangered to threatened has
presented substantial information indicating that the action may be
warranted. We also find that there is substantial information
indicating that other subspecies of markhor may warrant listing as
threatened or endangered under the Act. A status review of the entire
species Capra falconeri is initiated.
DATES: This finding was made on September 16, 1999. Comments and
information may be submitted until January 21, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments, information, and questions to the Chief,
Office of Scientific Authority; Mail Stop: Room 750, Arlington Square;
US Fish and Wildlife Service; Washington, DC 20240 (Fax number: 703-
358-2276; E-mail address: r9osa@fws.gov). Address express and
messenger-delivered mail to the Office of Scientific Authority; Room
750, 4401 North Fairfax Drive; Arlington, Virginia 22203. You may
inspect the petition finding, supporting data, and comments, by
appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the
Arlington, Virginia address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Susan S. Lieberman, Chief, Office
of Scientific Authority, at the above address (Telephone number: 703-
358-1708; E-mail address: susan__lieberman@fws.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973 as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires us to make a finding on
whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents
substantial information indicating that the requested action may be
warranted. To the maximum extent practicable, we make this finding
within 90 days following receipt of the petition, and we promptly
publish a Notice in the Federal Register. If the finding is positive,
section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Act also requires us to commence a status
review of the species. We now announce a 90-day finding on a recently
received petition.
On March 4, 1999, we received a petition from Sardar Naseer A.
Tareen (Head, Society for Torghar Environmental Protection, 94-Regal
Plaza, 3rd Floor, Circular Road, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan), on
behalf of the Society for Torghar Environmental Protection and the IUCN
Central Asia Sustainable Use Specialist Group, requesting that the
Suleiman markhor (Capra falconeri jerdoni or C. f. megaceros)
population of the Torghar Hills region of Balochistan Province,
Pakistan be reclassified from endangered to threatened. Under the Act,
the Suleiman markhor of Torghar is listed as C. f. jerdoni, straight-
horned markhor.
The markhor is a species of wild goat that occurs in small,
isolated populations in rugged, arid mountain habitats in Afghanistan,
India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Markhor
populations have generally declined as a result of hunting, habitat
modification (including logging and overgrazing), and competition with
domestic livestock.
In 1975, when markhor were first listed under the Act, seven
subspecies were generally recognized: C. f. jerdoni (Suleiman or
straight-horned markhor), C. f. megaceros (Kabul or Kabal markhor), C.
f. cashmirensis (Pir Panjal or Kashmir markhor), C. f. falconeri (Astor
markhor), C. f. ognevi (Uzbek markhor), C. f. heptneri (Tajik markhor),
and C. f. chialtanensis (Chiltan markhor). C. f. jerdoni, C. f.
megaceros, and C. f. chialtanensis were classified as Endangered
throughout their respective ranges in the Federal Register of September
26, 1975 (40 FR 44329). At present, many authorities recognize only
three subspecies of markhor (Shackleton 1997). C. f. jerdoni and C. f.
megaceros are now generally considered to be the single subspecies C.
f. megaceros (straight-horned
[[Page 51500]]
markhor). C. f. cashmirensis and C. f. falconeri are now generally
considered to be the single subspecies C. f. falconeri (flare-horned
markhor). C. f. ognevi and C. f. heptneri are now generally considered
to be the single subspecies C. f. heptneri (Heptner's markhor). In
addition, C. f. chiltanensis is now considered by many authorities to
be Capra aegagrus chialtanensis (Chiltan wild goat). This is the
nomenclature that we will use in this and subsequent documents related
to review of the markhor for listing under the Act.
The range of straight-horned markhor formerly included the major
mountain ranges in northeastern Balochistan Province, southern North
West Frontier Province, and, possibly, southwestern Punjab Province in
Pakistan, and small areas in northeastern Afghanistan. The present
range of straight-horned markhor is much reduced, owing to the
extirpation of some local populations by indiscriminate hunting,
habitat degradation, and competition with domestic livestock. The known
distribution of populations within the present range is restricted to
small, isolated areas in Balochistan Province, a small area in North
West Frontier Province, and one unconfirmed occurrence in Punjab
Province. The present range within Afghanistan is unknown but is likely
to be extremely limited.
Although comprehensive population data are lacking, recent
estimates suggest that 1,500-2,500 straight-horned markhor may survive
throughout the subspecies' entire range. Most areas that have been
surveyed on more than one occasion have experienced downward trends in
straight-horned markhor population. The one exception is the Torghar
Hills. Results of field surveys conducted in 1985, 1994 and 1997
indicate that the Torghar Hills population of straight-horned markhor
has increased substantially since the mid-1980s when fewer than 100
animals were thought to be present. In 1994 the markhor population was
estimated to be approximately 700 animals (Johnson 1997), and in 1997
the population was estimated to be approximately 1,300 animals (Frisina
et al. 1998). This population increase has been due to a virtual
elimination of unauthorized hunting that has been accomplished through
a private conservation initiative, the Torghar Conservation Project
(the Project), which was started in 1985.
The Project is administered by a local non-governmental
organization, the Society for Torghar Environmental Protection (the
petitioner). Because the Torghar Hills are within the Pathan tribal
belt of northern Balochistan Province, the Project employs local Pathan
tribesmen as game guards to protect straight-horned markhor and Afghan
urial (Ovis vignei cycloceros) from unauthorized hunting in the Project
Area (an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometers (sq. km.)). Many
of the game guards are former hunters who stopped killing markhor and
urial at the behest of the local Pathan tribal chieftain. The markhor
population has responded to this protection by increasing substantially
in numbers since the mid-1980s. The Project has been largely self-
sufficient since its inception, depending primarily on revenues derived
from trophy hunting fees from international hunters. The Project is
recognized as a valid conservation program for markhor and urial by
both provincial and Federal authorities in Pakistan, as evidenced by
the granting of two Appendix I export permits to the Project, pursuant
to Resolution Conf. 10.15 of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Resolution Conf. 10.15
approved an export quota of six hunting trophies of markhor from
Pakistan per calendar year).
We find that the petition presents substantial information
indicating that the requested action may be warranted. This finding is
based on the overall size and documented growth of the Torghar Hills
population of straight-horned markhor over the past 14 years, the
management program called the Torghar Conservation Project, whose game
guards have virtually eliminated unauthorized hunting within the 1,500
sq. km. Project area, and the relative security of markhor habitat in
the Torghar Hills. In addition, the discreteness and significance of
the Torghar Hills population of straight-horned markhor indicate that
it qualifies as a distinct vertebrate population segment under our
February 7, 1996 policy (61 FR 4722).
As a result of the review of available literature related to this
petition, we also find that there is substantial information to
indicate that other subspecies of markhor may warrant listing as
threatened or endangered. The flare-horned markhor (C. f. falconeri) is
not currently listed under the Act. This subspecies occurs in North
West Frontier Province and the Northern Areas in Pakistan, in
southwestern Jammu and Kashmir, and in Nuristan and Laghman in
northeastern Afghanistan. Current population estimates are less than
2,500 to 3,000 in Pakistan (Hess et al. 1997), and an estimated 200 to
300 animals in India (Fox and Johnsingh 1997). No recent population
figures are available for Afghanistan, but it is likely that few
markhor remain in that country (Habibi 1997). Flare-horned markhor
populations have declined as a result of indiscriminate hunting,
habitat degradation and loss, and direct competition with domestic
livestock (Fox and Johnsingh 1997, Hess et al. 1997).
Heptner's markhor (C. f. heptneri) is not currently listed under
the Act. This subspecies is restricted to three populations: one
straddling the border between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, a second
occurring along the southern border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and a
third in southeastern Tajikistan with a possible extension into
Afghanistan. The current estimated total population of Heptner's
markhor is about 700 animals (Weinberg et al. 1997). Populations of
Heptner's markhor have declined as a result of indiscriminate hunting,
habitat degradation and loss, and direct competition with domestic
livestock (Weinberg et al. 1997).
Pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(A), we hereby commence a review of the
status of the entire species Capra falconeri. We encourage the
submission of appropriate data, opinions, and publications regarding
the subject petition or other populations or subspecies of Capra
falconeri. In accordance with section 4(b)(3), within 12 months of
receipt of the petition, we will make another finding as to whether the
requested action is warranted, not warranted, or warranted but
precluded by other listing measures.
References Cited
You may request a complete list of references cited in this Notice
from the Office of Scientific Authority (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.
Dated: September 16, 1999.
Marshall P. Jones,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24760 Filed 9-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
