Wildlife of Northern Pakistan and Where You Might See It

Himalayan brown bear

The Himalayan brown bear is the flagship animal of the Deosai Plains. Deosai was declared a national park in 1993 to protect the bear and its habitat, and the plateau remains one of the most important refuges for the species in the region. Bears are active in summer and hibernate through the long winter, when the plateau is buried in snow.

Sightings are possible from the jeep tracks and camps, usually at a distance across open grassland; binoculars make a big difference. Our Deosai horse safari sets aside a full day at Barapani to explore the park and look for wildlife, and the jeep safari crosses the heart of the plateau.

Golden marmot

Golden marmots are the animals most visitors do see. These large, sociable ground squirrels live in colonies on the high grasslands of Deosai and around the Khunjerab Pass, standing upright beside their burrows and giving a sharp whistle when alarmed. They are most active on sunny summer days. However tame they seem, never feed them: human food harms them and changes their behaviour.

Himalayan ibex

The Himalayan ibex, a wild goat with long, curved, ridged horns, lives on steep cliffs and slopes across the Karakoram and Hindu Kush. Ibex are often spotted high above trekking routes and the Karakoram Highway, especially early in the morning and in autumn and winter, when they descend to lower slopes. Local guides are usually far better at spotting them than visitors.

Marco Polo sheep and blue sheep

The Marco Polo sheep, famous for its enormous spiralling horns, lives on the high plateaus of the Pamirs and the border areas around the Khunjerab Pass. Khunjerab National Park was established in 1975 largely to protect it. It is shy and rarely seen from the road. Blue sheep, or bharal, also live in the high country of the Khunjerab area. Watch the slopes as you drive up to the pass, but treat any sighting as a bonus.

Markhor: Pakistan's national animal

The markhor is a wild goat with dramatic corkscrew horns and is Pakistan's national animal. It lives on steep, rocky slopes in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and other mountain areas. Chitral Gol National Park, close to Chitral town, is one of the best-known places for it, particularly in winter when the animals come lower. The Chitral guide describes the town and valley. Community-based conservation has helped markhor numbers recover in several areas over recent decades.

Snow leopard

The snow leopard ranges across the high mountains of northern Pakistan, including the Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Pamirs. It is extremely elusive, and the great majority of visitors never see one; specialist winter trips with experienced trackers offer the best, but still slim, chances. On a summer trek you may see tracks or hear local stories, and that is part of the appeal.

Birds and other mammals

• Birds of prey such as the bearded vulture, or lammergeier, and the golden eagle, soaring along ridges and valleys.
• Himalayan snowcock on high slopes, often heard before they are seen.
• Red foxes and, more rarely, wolves on the Deosai plateau.
• Domestic yaks grazing in high pastures in upper Hunza and around Khunjerab.

Where wildlife fits into our trips

Programmes whose published itineraries visit the Deosai plateau, the Khunjerab Pass or mention wildlife.

Watching wildlife responsibly

• Keep your distance and use binoculars or a long lens rather than approaching animals.
• Never feed wildlife, including marmots, and never leave food or rubbish behind.
• Stay in vehicles or on tracks when animals are near; on Deosai, driving off the tracks damages the grassland.
• Keep noise down and never chase or corner an animal for a photograph.
• Do not use drones near wildlife; they are tightly regulated in Pakistan anyway. See our photography guide.
• Follow park rules and your guide's instructions; our guide to national parks of northern Pakistan explains how the parks are managed.

Frequently asked questions

Plan a wildlife-focused trip

If wildlife matters to you, tell us what you would most like to see and we will suggest routes and seasons that give you the best chance. Compare our safaris or contact us through the enquiry form.