Asiatic Cheetahs in Iran: Decline, Current Status and Threats

The Asiatic cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus venaticus ), nowadays the rarest subspecies of cheetah, once roamed immense areas from the Arabian Peninsula through southwest Asia to India, but is now confined to a small population in Iran. Although it remains present across vast drylands of central–eastern Iran, the limits of its current and past ranges, as well as population trend are uncertain. Since 2001, cheetahs have been confirmed to occur in at least 18 sites in Iran, most of which are currently protected by the Department of Environment. With a population estimated to comprise fewer than 40 individuals, the Asiatic cheetah is currently considered Critically Endangered and highly vulnerable to extinction, mainly due to prey and habitat loss, persecution by livestock herders and their dogs, car collisions, and poaching. Considerable effort has recently been invested into cheetah conservation in Iran, but continued action is essential to save it from extinction.