Status Assessment for Eurasian Lynx in Iran

The Eurasian lynx is widely distributed in Asia, but is one of the least-known cats. Despite being the largest small cat in Iran, general information about lynx previously consisted of a few historical records (>15) and anecdotal observations from various sources. Since 2006, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), together with Biodiversity & Wildlife Bureau of Iranian Department of the Environment (DoE), have conducted surveys to determine the species status in Iran. The intensive investigation resulted in 167 new geographic records of the elusive animal and document major threats to its persistence. Accordingly, a preliminary assessment of the species distribution and conservation status is presented in Autumn 2010 issue of CAT News (Journal of IUCN/SSC