The presence of the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) has been verified in several protected areas in central Iran. However, there is a scarcity of data on the feeding ecology of this taxon. Prey selection by the Asiatic cheetah was studied in Dare-Anjir Wildlife Refuge, one of its typical habitats in central Iran where there are no carnivorous competitors. The frequency of cheetah kills was compared with the relative abundance of each of its primary prey species obtained through two independent surveys. Jebeer gazelle (Gazella bennettii) was least abundant, but was the preferred prey of cheetah, while wild sheep (Ovis orientalis) followed by Persian ibex (Capra aegagrus) were the most frequently killed prey. Cheetahs selectively preyed on males of the three prey species. Our data suggest that Asiatic cheetahs prey mainly on mountain ungulates (wild sheep and Persian ibex) which has management implications for effective conservation of this taxon in Iran. You can read more results in detail on the below paper: Prey selection by the critically endanegerd Asiatic cheetah in central Iran (2010)
Based on latest researches on habitat preference of Goitered gazelle using a combination of Geographical Information System (GIS) and statistical analysis of its spatial distribution in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge, the critical habitat for gazelles in the reserveis composed of hilly terrain near flat plains where they prefer to feed; the nearby hilly escape terrain decreases their susceptibility to poachers. Meantime, the gazelles
It has been widely believed that the Asiatic cheetah occurs wherever gazelles exist. However, most of the present cheetah main habitat in Iran has a low density of gazelles, although there are neighbouring high-density gazelle areas without cheetahs. We found that cover has been usually ignored as an essential need for its hunting success and thus its survival. We propose to conduct more surveys in habitats which provide both food and cover to cheetahs.
You can download full paper here.
Is food a reliable indicator of cheetah presence in Iran? (2008)
An investigation on Persian leopard was carried out from September 2007 to October 2008 in Ghorkhod & Behkadeh Reserve, northeastern Iran. The area is the main buffer habitat around the core (source) population in Golestan National Park, but it suffers severe depletion of natural prey species due to lower level of protection measures, and is probably a sink population. We conclude that to ensure corridors and buffer zones, the most urgent and achievable solution is perhaps to designate additional
The cheetah is an episode of EXTINCTION series which covers some of the most charismatic species which are in danger of extinction. This documentary movie has been producing by Chanal 5 of French TV which talks about the cheetah, beside Sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, polar bear, orangutan, etc. The cheetah episode lasts 52 minutes and discusses about low genetic diversity of the cheetahs in the world and its possible impact on their future survival. Meanwhile, conservation efforts are an important proportion of the movie. The movie starts in Namibia, then South Africa and finally arrives in Iran where hold the only confirmed wild population of the Asiatic cheetahs. The movie was produced in Kavir National Park and Miandasht Wildlife Refuge with partnership of the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) and Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (CACP) in March 2010. It is predicted that the movie can be released in coming September.
In order to record Persian leopard individuals within the Iranian zoos, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) cooperates with EAZA/EEP Persian Leopard which is held by Alwetter Zoo in Germany to update
December 2007- Islamic council of five main villages inside Bafq Protected Area are organizing to train the shepherds and villagers about the critically Asiatic cheetah. These target settlements have been selected due to their vicinity to the cheetah habitat as well as their higher impact on human-induced mortality of the cheetahs in Bafq PA where is estimated to hold more than 10 animals. In cooperation with UNDP/GEF SGP, DOE and PTES, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) is educating different target groups in Bafq where holds the highest cheetah mortality in the country till end of 2008.
With respect to their continuous presence in the field, shepherds are considered as a significant target group which generally confuse the cheetah with other similar-sized carnivores, including wolf, leopard, striped hyena and even caracal and wild cat. They suppose the cheetah to be guilty in charge of any livestock depredation; but the species is rarely the main cause. After a year round human-carnivore assessment, it was concluded that the cheetah, wolf, golden eagle and caracal are the main threats to the herder’s ownership in five main villages. On the basis of results of conflict assessment, a specific Shepherds Training Course has been developed, in which they learn how to identify the cheetah as well as other carnivores, main causes of livestock depredation by carnivores and preventive measures to reduce the present conflict. The training course has been developed with collaboration of local NGOs and Islamic councils which play a significant role in this educational project.
Negotiations are undergoing with local governmental authorities to enforce livestock insurance program which can compensate a proportion of herders’ loss to the carnivores, including the cheetah. Inside each village, a core group of cheetah friends has been formed which they had received a preliminary capacity building in order to be able to educate other people as well as gather and verity cheetah events, such sighting, depredation, mortality, etc. For instance, a cat was found dead in November floating inside a village pool which was supposed to be a cheetah. Fortunately, the case was immediately reported to the latter group. They visited the site and verified the animal as a wild cat resembling to a cheetah due to its spotted pattern.
Eurasian lynx on wild sheep kill in Anguran Wildlife Refuge, western Iran (
A young leopard which came inside a village probably in search for food in Mazandaran province, northern Iran, was anesthetized and captured by the Iranian Department of the Environment (DoE) in September 2008. The animal was trapped inside a coral which villagers informed game guards to rescue the small cub. The animal was then moved to Semeskandeh Wildlife Refuge for treatment of slight injuries cause during capturing in order to being recovered. Meanwhile, nothing is known about the mother and it is reported that the animal was alone. However, it is quite aggressive toward people and is kept inside a small cage at the moment. It is estimated that the animal has no more than 6 months.
Worthy to note, Darabad Museum of Wildlife and Nature is home to a large male Persian leopard since 2000 which was brought there as a cub whose mother poached. The animal seems healthy, but without mate and lives inside a modern and safe cage. During the past couple of years, much efforts have been made by the museum Darabad authorities to find a female for Rika (meaning boy), but without success. An adult female Persian leopard lives in Mashad Zoo, but communication between two facilities during the past few years has no outcome to cooperate. Presently, it seems that Rika has been lucky that near the end of his reproductive life, there is a chance for her to reproduce. Both of them (Rika and Kija, the small new cub meaning girl), are from the same origin and since the animal is supposed to not able to survive in the wild on her own, therefore, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) has proposed to launch the first breeding site for the endangered Persian leopard in Iran. However, the fate of offsprings should be discussed. At the moment, the ICS is facilitating interaction between the relevant governmental organizations in order to establish a mutual partnership between the DoE and Darabad to transfer Kija to the same plcae of Rika.
An adult Persian leopard was photographed on late March in Birk Protected Area, near the Iran-Pakistan border. The area has been one of the main habitats in southeastern country where it was supposed to be a leopard refuge. Meanwhile, due to remoteness of the area and lack of security because of drug smugglers, no intensive survey has been implemented in this area.
Since winter 2008, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) initiated the first leopard survey in southeastern Iran to identify the leopard range and probably getting an insight into the leopard population (read more). Preliminary surveys indicated that serious conflict between leopard and local Baluch nomads exist, but due to some local beliefs, the nomads do not shoot the leopards. It was estimated that a total of 10 to 20 livestock, mainly domestic goat are killed monthly by the leopards and since there is no alternative source of income for local nomads, it is a great loss with respect to small size of their herds.
Birk Protected Area is one of few reserves in southeastern Iran which is mainly consisted of a long mountainous chain of around 100 kilometers extending from north to the Pakistan border. This 70,000 hectares area is supposed to hold small number of the Asiatic black bear and the adult leopard was captured by the camera traps in its northern extension.
August 2009- The third cheetah will be held on August 31 in Iran. Proposed by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), the event has been organized in order to draw the Iranian community’s attention toward the endangered status of the cheetah in Iran as well as more emphasis on improving conservation efforts of the creature across the country. Since 2007, the Cheetah Day has been celebrated by various Iranian NGOs and the Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE)’s Conservation of the Asiatic Cheetah Project in which numerous educational programs were held inside the main cities as well as local communities around the cheetah habitat. In 2008, a number of sessions, seminars and discussion groups were formed around the Cheetah Day to exchange data about the Asiatic cheetah and to share knowledge. Meanwhile, the Iranian mass media had a major role to celebrate the event. With respect to intensive public welcome of Cheetah Day programs, the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) invites all organizations, societies, and persons who are willing to corporate in this field all over the country.
On 31 August 1994, a family of Iranian cheetahs were attacked by a number of people near Bafq Protected Area, central Iran. The mother run away, two cubs were killed, but the last cub was saved and lived in Pardisan Zoo, Tehran until 2003. She, namely Marita, was the only captive Iranian cheetah in the world and was a symbol for lack of awareness among local people in Iran which has been always considered as one of the main initiatives for the Iranian Cheetah Society since establishment in 2001.
The Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) would like to propose the International Cheetah Day to all the relevant NGOs and persons in order to spread the knowledge of the cheetah and its gloomy future to the people worldwide and will shake hand to all the enthusiastic organizations and people. Please contact us for further details through [email protected].
Statement of the Asiatic Cheetah Protection Day in 2008
It has been 14 years since the day when a rare young cheetah was rescued from an unavoidable death .public has been scared of the young cheetah and her family. Their fear originated from their unawareness, maybe if they had known that the cheetah was not a threat to them and their livestock, and if they had known cheetah
