Further
research required to determine if population is shrinking
December
2012. According to the latest population surveys in Iran, the cheetah
population in Iran does not exceed 70 individuals. There has been some recent
controversy in Iran about the cheetah population of Iran, and it has been
extensively discussed in the media. On the basis of recent camera trapping
efforts ongoing since last winter by the Iranian
Cheetah Society (ICS) in collaboration with Iranian Department of
Environment (DoE), Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (CACP) and Panthera,
the most robust conclusion for the population is fewer than 70.
Formerly,
it was believed that 70 to 100 cheetahs existed in the country. The question
that remains to be answered is if the population has decreased or if it was a
small population which was suspected to be larger. Presently, there is no
indication of population growth in the country and infrequent occurrence of
cheetah families has created serious concerns among Iranian biologists.
More
work needed
However, ICS are not able yet to declare a more precise and accurate population range in the country as a combination of habitat modelling with population data are needed to find the full cheetah range in Iran. Presently, various partners are working closely to find exact number of Asiatic cheetahs in the country. ICS are hopeful that in 2013, after finishing systematic camera trapping of cheetah reserves across eastern half of Iran, a more accurate population size could be declared.
However, ICS are not able yet to declare a more precise and accurate population range in the country as a combination of habitat modelling with population data are needed to find the full cheetah range in Iran. Presently, various partners are working closely to find exact number of Asiatic cheetahs in the country. ICS are hopeful that in 2013, after finishing systematic camera trapping of cheetah reserves across eastern half of Iran, a more accurate population size could be declared.
Protection
Recently, some environmental activists in the country criticized Iranian Department of Environment on the efficiency of its protection measures and especially after it was stated in the Iranian media that we should consider the cheetah as an extinct species, like Asiatic lion and Caspian tiger, because camera traps have shown that the cheetahs are few.
Recently, some environmental activists in the country criticized Iranian Department of Environment on the efficiency of its protection measures and especially after it was stated in the Iranian media that we should consider the cheetah as an extinct species, like Asiatic lion and Caspian tiger, because camera traps have shown that the cheetahs are few.
However,
biologists are confident that there are still ways to save the cheetahs and
more collaboration with communities should be established to safeguard the last
remains of Asiatic cheetahs in Iran.
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