This species is endangered and protected under the Bern Convention, which strictly regulates the trade and hunting of such vulnerable wildlife.
The Bern Convention's regulations stipulate that the Kri Kri ibex can only be legally hunted with specific authorisation from the Greek government. This is part of a controlled effort to manage and maintain the species' population within sustainable levels. Specialists conduct annual assessments to determine the number of special hunting permits to be issued, ensuring that any hunting activities contribute to the species' conservation and do not endanger their survival.
Intriguingly, records have shown that a notable proportion of the registered Kri Kri ibex trophies did not originate from Greece, their natural and protected habitat where hunting is under the strict supervision of Greek authorities. These trophies were reported to have been hunted in another country. The question arises: How can a species under the special protection of an international agreement be relocated from Greece to North Macedonia for trophy hunting purposes?
Concerns have been raised about the movement of the Kri Kri ibex, which is reportedly carried out under the guise of breeding programs. It is alleged that animals from a northern Greek zoo, where they were intended for breeding purposes and not for hunting, found their way to high-fence hunting territories in North Macedonia. The number of animals moved corresponds closely with the number of trophies registered, sparking questions about the true nature of their relocation.
