Born on May 24
International Day of the Markhor
Corkscrew horns on the high slopes.
Next: May 24, 2027
Where it comes from
The markhor (Capra falconeri) is a wild goat with long corkscrew horns that lives on steep slopes in the mountains of Central and South Asia, in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
How it's celebrated
Pakistan, where the markhor is the national animal, leads the day with its government and UN partners. The UN Environment Programme and the Mountain Partnership, a UN alliance for mountain peoples and places, use it to talk about mountain wildlife and the communities who live alongside it.
Did you know
A markhor's corkscrew horns can grow up to 160 centimetres (63 inches) long.
Read the full story of International Day of the Markhor
Star sign
Gemini · May 21 – June 20 · Air sign
Curious and chatty, always with two ideas on the go.