Asiatic Cheetah Population Monitoring Program

“According to a recent investigation, the Asiatic cheetahs normally live longer in areas which are enough large. Analysis of more than 100 cheetah individuals recorded during past decade in Iran indicates that reserves’ size and integrity can contribute to more survival of the critically endangered Asiatic cheetahs in Iran. Kavir, Turan and Naybandan are the most important large sites for the cheetahs in the country. In contrast, the cheetahs occurring within smaller areas have been recorded on camera traps for short times, normally less than two years. The maximum known presence of a cheetah in smaller areas is around three years.

The Asiatic cheetahs are known to walk long distances and cover large areas in search for food, safety and mate. Accordingly, the smaller is their habitat, the higher is chance of encountering people and roads while patrolling outside their protected habitat. Accordingly, while smaller reserves have a significantly higher security due to law enforcement; however, the cheetahs’ chance to go back is not high.

Jointly conducted by Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah project (CACP) and the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), the present research reveals high importance of large intact areas for securing longer survival of the cheetahs in Iran. Moreover, network of smaller reserves which are still connected can be crucial to save the cheetahs lives.

“According to recent investigation, a total of 75 Asiatic cheetah cubs are known to be born since 2000 in different parts of Iran, in 32 different families. In other word, a minimum of 6 to 7 cheetahs are born each year in Iran. Located south of Alborz Mountains, Turan possessed the highest breeding capacity with at least 9 different families, equal to ca. 30%. However, it is obvious that these figures indicate the minimum numbers and actual breeding should be higher, because all families are not detected, sometimes are outside of protected areas where camera traps operate.

Long-term studies in east Africa have revealed that cheetahs suffer high juvenile mortality, 1 out of each 20 cubs reach to 18 months, age of independence from mothers. However, based on limited number of families studied in Iran, it can be concluded that Iranian cheetahs are lucky to have higher cub survival. The Asiatic cheetah occur in multiple reserves in eastern half of Iran, but analysis indicate that they still have high potential of recovering, if proper and vast habitats are well protected, according to studies ongoing by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project and Panthera.

Reproduction is one of the most critical demographic aspects to manage wildlife, particularly for endangered species. Accordingly, after completion of first round of national monitoring of the Asiatic cheetahs in Iran since 2011, the ICS has launched a new monitoring program to explore reproduction of the cheetahs in different areas. Thus, most of Iran’s main cheetah habitats are now equipped with digital camera traps and are regularly checked to find evidence of breeding which are expected to be quite rare. This program has been initiated since early May when is just after peak of cheetah birth in Iran and will continue until end of summer 2013.