Duration: March 2003- Still ongoing
Location: Touran Biosphere Reserve, Miandasht Wildlife Refuge, Behkadeh Reserve and Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge, Dare-Anjir Wildlife Refuge
Implementing Agency: Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS)
Funding Agencies: Stichting Spots, Iranian Department of Environment, Burger Zoo, Colombus Zoo, Rufford Foundation, AfdPZ, IUCN NL, Ashia, Ahmad Tea
As the last stronghold of the critically endangered Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) in the world, Iran is home to less than 40 cheetahs roaming across desert mountainous areas of eastern half of the big country. It has been recognized to be ecologically different comparing to its African cousins, probably due to distinctive environmental situations. For example, it mainly preys on mountainous ungulates, such as wild sheep and wild goat rather using its high speed to catch fast gazelles. So, it is not strange to see the cheetahs away from the plains up in the mountains, like leopards. The present project has been carrying out within two only confirmed cheetah habitats in northeastern Iran, namely Miandasht Wildlife Refuge and Touran Biosphere Reserve. Based on camera trap results and direct observations, it is supposed that no more than 15 cheetahs live in two areas with the higher abundance in Touran. This program is one of the oldest conservation projects on the Asiatic cheetah in Iran which has helped significantly to increase our knowledge about the Asiatic cheetah in Iran.
