Comment on FR Doc # 2012-19071

USFWS has included the best scientific information available. USFWS might consider the fall 2011 population survey information for markhor included in Frisina and Rasheed(2012)-STATUS OF MARKHOR AND URIAL ON THE TORGHAR CONSERVATION PROJECT-AN INTERIM REPOERT(available from habitat@bresnan.net). All descriptions of the species and it's habitat appear to be accurate. The review does a good job of describing factors affecting the species. USFWS makes a very logical case for reclassifying the straight horned markhor and the expected benifits to the species conservation. There is only a limited amount of literature on this species and USFWS incorporaed most all of the important information into the review. It might strengthen the review to include data from the latest markhor survey for Torghar referenced above. Taxonomy of makhor is problematic in that scientists cannot agree as to a consensus classification. A consensus classification may never be possible. USFWS did a good job of explaining the subspecies situation and clarifying the issue.