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Confirmed Reports on Felids in Naein Area in Iran

Naein, May, 15 2004-  Various confirmed reports on several felid species in Naein Area suggest that in respect to the family Felidae, the area has a rich diversity among the Iranian desert reserves.

Due to long-term surveys conducted by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) in collaboration with the Esfahan DOE since Sep 2002, four members of the cat family have been verified in Naein area, eastern Esfahan province, including the Iranian Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, Sand Cat Felis margarita, Caracal Caracal caracal and Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx.

After more than 20 years that no confirmed report has been done on the Cheetah in the area, several fresh tracks revealed that the animals still exist in Naein. Several skins and stuffed animals plus Naein's geographical position suggest that the area once was one of the main hotspots in the cheetah range in Iran.

Vast expanses of desert ranges with sand dunes in western and southern parts of the area have provided a suitable habitat for another species of felids, the Sand Cat whose distinctive tracks on the sand dunes indicate those parts to be a high occurring habitat for this animal. Recently, a young female sand cat was found dead in a hole in buffer zone. The cause of death was not known. It was more than one decade that no sand cat has been recorded in the country.

Naein may be supposed to be of the best habitats for the Caracal in Iran. Local people regularly say that they have seen a "Tufted-Ear Cat" with brownish color, sometimes damaged their small livestock. Once the caracal see a vehicle, lies down motionless to hide which makes it easy to capture. Recently, a male specimen was caught by a local student as a pet, then released into the wild.

Moreover, there are a few surprising reports on the Lynx, because the area is consisted of deserts with a warm and dry climate. However, this species has been always said to prefer Eurasian cold climate. In July 2003, ICS efforts in the area led to finding some hair samples supposed to be belonged to a lynx in northern area (Read full story). Some samples were given to IUCN/Cat Specialist Group co-chairmen, Drs Urs & Chrisitne Breitenmoser while visiting Iran in January 2004 for more analysis to determine the species.

Due to various advantages, Naein area could be potentially considered as a reliable stronghold for the Iranian cheetahs. Human intervention is limited to just a few mines and less than 10 human settlements, while small number of livestock grazing seasonally around Naein never threatens the area with habitat degradation. Since the area has not yet given legal protection, ICS is trying to raise funds in order to improve the conservational measurements.