Corral training with markhor at Highland Wildlife Park
Posted 20 Oct 2025
At Highland Wildlife Park, animal welfare is a priority. One of the ways we support this is through corral training with our Turkmenian markhor herd.
Markhor are mountain-dwelling herbivores whose natural predators include Eurasian lynx and snow leopards. This makes them cautious, and they can be skittish around humans. We want any handling or health checks to cause as little stress as possible.
Our corrals are simple wooden structures with three sides. The markhor can enter at one end but are also able to leap over either side. One keeper sits and offers food only to animals that step into the corral. The other kneels on the ground and checks flanks and hooves.
By encouraging the markhor with tasty treats and not forcing or locking them in, they can feel calm and in control. It also gives some of the more nervous animals the chance to see fellow herd members interacting with keepers in a positive way. In time, the aim is that the whole herd learns that keepers are not a threat, which helps reduce their anxiety.
This approach has huge welfare benefits. Keepers can carry out basic health checks and hoof inspections without the need for restraints or sedation! This is safer for both the animals and keepers. It also allows us to spot any potential health issues before they develop into something more serious.
Working closely with the animals in this way has other benefits too. As experienced keeper Phoebe Dowens explains, it also gives an insight into the different personalities in the park’s herd. “The boys, like Moss with his huge horns, tend to be a bit more wary of people. The girls, particularly Sweetpea, are far more relaxed and even seem to enjoy our company.”
Corral training is a great example of how thoughtful and proactive animal management can make a big difference. It allows us to meet the markhor’s needs while still keeping their care as stress-free as possible. This a win-win for both keepers and animals.
