International Day of the Markhor 2026
May 24, 2026 in the World
The International Day of the Markhor is observed on May 24, 2026. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024 and has been marked annually ever since. The date does not commemorate a specific historical event.
The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the conservation status of the markhor, a wild goat species native to parts of Central and South Asia. Once critically endangered, markhor populations have increased in recent years due to focused conservation efforts. Worldwide there is approximately 5,700 mature individuals of markhor left.
The International Day of the Markhor promotes habitat protection, anti-poaching initiatives and sustainable community-based conservation. The United Nations supports regional cooperation to ensure the long-term survival of the species and its ecosystems. The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan.