Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) today commended Tajikistan Ambassador to the United States Abdujabbor Shirinov, and the country of Tajikistan, for lifting the moratorium on the hunting of Marco Polo argali. The 2010 season will officially open this Autumn.

"The government of Tajikistan is excited to announce the opening of a Marco Polo sheep hunting season for Fall 2010," said Ambassador Shirinov. "Safari Club International Foundation has demonstrated their commitment to wildlife in the Pamir Mountains, and my country looks forward to the continued growth of our collaborative conservation projects."


SCIF Conservation Committee Chairman Joseph Hosmer and SCIF Conservation Director Dr. Bill Moritz recently returned from Tajikistan where they helped to increase awareness about reopening Marco Polo hunting in key meetings with government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister M. Alimardon and the Chairman of Committee on Environment Protection of Tajikistan, Mr. Khursandmurod Zikirov.

Safari Club International Foundation is committed to a successful Marco Polo sheep survey for 2010 in Tajikistan. The first phase of the project was completed in August with the assessment of Marco Polo lambing success in the Eastern Pamir Mountains. A second phase will involve a population assessment in December 2010.

"It is with great thanks to the government of Tajikistan, Deputy Prime Minister Alimardon and Ambassador Shirinov that we have successfully begun the Marco Polo sheep survey for Tajikistan. We are also extremely excited and thankful to learn of the reopening of the hunting season for 2010," said SCI Foundation President Dr. Larry Rudolph.

This is great news for hunters! And it's without doubt great news for the argali population as well.