STATUS OF THE HEPTNER MARKHOR (CAPRA-FALCONERI-HEPTNERI) IN TURKMENISTAN

We observed 227 Heptner's markhors (Capra falconeri heptneri) during a survey of this endangered subspecies in April 1995 in the Kugitang Na ture Reserve of eastern Turkmenistan. Because of the Limited area surv eyed, this census provided a minimal estimate of the size of tile popu lation. The population appears Po be increasing, which is due to remov al of livestock, improved range conditions, and control of illegal hun ting. Future conservation of the Heptner's markhor in Turkmenistan cou ld include an ecotourism program and limited hunting to generate fundi ng for monitoring and management programs.