In Search for the Leopard in Baluchestan

April 2008- As one of the least known areas in Iran, Baluchistan wildlife has rarely been studied. The elusive Persian leopard seems to survive inside a several areas near the Pakistan, but no investigation has been yet conducted  about the status of this endangered animal throughout the Iranian Baluchestan. With an area of more than 700 square kilometers, the Birk Mountain Protected Area is considered as the most important habitat for the leopards in Baluchistan. As a result of field efforts, ICS researchers have concluded an intense conflict between Baluch nomads inhabiting this area and the leopards, so that they lose at least 10 to 20 domestic goats to the cat every month. 

A Refuge for Persian leopards in Northeastern Iran

March 2008- Located in the neighborhood of Ghorkhod Protected Area and Golestan National Park near Turkmenistan border, Behkadeh Reserve is considered as one of the leopard’s habitats in the northeastern Iran. This area is also one of the least known habitats of leopards in the country which has not been properly studied yet. According to the surveys conducted in this area since summer 2007, most of the leopards tracks seem to be not large as Persian leopards' tracks found in adjacent habitats, such as Sarigol NP and Golestan NP. Moreover, the animals have rarely been seen in companion of cubs.

Land of the Iranian Cheetahs

January 2008- Ecological and population studies on the Iranian cheetah in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge has been undergoing using camera trapping technique. Following assessment of the cheetah main habitat in the area according field researches, a total of 15 camera traps were set up at various spots in the area since end of August till mid of December. Given the limited availability of water resources in desert habitats at the end of summer; therefore we tried to set up most of the cameras at the trails reaching to waterholes.

Cheetah Training Course for Shepherds in Bafq Protected Area

 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.

A Heaven for Brown Bears in Iran 

November 2007- The first ecological study on the brown bear in Iran has been conducting since 2006 by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) in North Central Alborz Protected Area. Supported by the Iranian Department of the Environment (DOE) and Deutch Zoo Conservation Fund (DZCF), this research project has focused on various ecological aspects of the species as a part of "ICS Big Carnivores Program" in Iran. The study area is mainly composed of Hyrcanian mountain forests which is in northern Mazandaran province, aiming to provide a baseline for the future studies as well as to develop management plans.