The markhor is a large species of wild goat found in NE Afganistan, N Pakistan, parts of Azad & Indian Kashmir, S Tajikistan, and S Uzbekistan. It is listed as endangered with fewer than 2,500 mature animals. It is also the national animal of Pakistan. It’s name is derived from the Persian word ‘mar’ which means snake and ‘khor’ which means eater. According to folklore, it is able to kill and eat snakes. Both sexes have tightly curled, corkscrew horns which are placed close together at the head and separate upwards toward the tips.