Abstract

Purpose: To provide the first quantitative baseline on the winter population status, age–sex structure and spatial distribution of Himalayan ibex in the Community Controlled Hunting Area of Immit Valley, Ghizer district, and to assess implications for community-based trophy hunting and conservation. Research design, data and methodology: A late-winter ground survey was conducted using a double-observer design at nine vantage points across Immit Valley. At each sighting, observers recorded herd size, sex and age class (kids/yearlings, adult females, three male age classes), location and elevation. Duplicate detections were reconciled to obtain minimum counts, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize population structure and altitudinal use. Results: A minimum of 84 ibex in nine herds was recorded, with mean group size of about nine animals (range 4–19). The population comprised roughly 46% adult females, 38% adult males and 16% kids/yearlings, with most males in medium age classes and only one trophy-age male. Nearly 40% of animals occurred in two sub-valleys, and most ibex used mid- to upper-elevation south-facing slopes. Conclusions: Findings indicate a small but demographically mixed population whose viability may be sensitive to overharvest of scarce trophy-age males and to disturbance in core winter ranges, underscoring the need for conservative, data-driven quotas and repeated monitoring.