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The First Scientific Report on the Iranian Cheetahs:

Ecology and Conservation of the Asiatic Cheetah in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge, Iran

 August 2007- Finally, the first scientific report about ecology and conservation of the cheetahs in Iran has been disseminated by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) which is result of field-based research surveys followed by public awareness campaign efforts since winter 2003 in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge. With an area of 85000 hectares, the area is the last confirmed cheetah habitats in the country where is located on edge of the species distribution in northeastern country.

 Mohammad Farhadinia, the principal investigator believed that the area is the most unique habitat for the cheetahs in Iran where is mainly composed of plain and hilly terrains without rocky rolling mountains which is quite in contrast to the other cheetahs reserves in the country. As the only medium sized antelope, a existing small population of just a few hundred Goitered gazelle is expected to provide the main proportion of the cheetah’s diet inside the area, but, surprisingly, it was concluded that small mammals such as rodents and hares consist the main bulk of the cheetah’s menu in Miandasht.

  As a result of more than 400 camera trap nights, a total of 4 different individuals were captured, leading us to a population of 6 to 10 animals for whole of the area. In order to monitor the area’s cheetah population, a total of 15 camera units are going to be set since late August till November to reveal more about the present status.

  Miandasht Wildlife Refuge is annually occupied by more than 15000 heads of livestock since early winter toward early spring which is the highest risk period for the cheetahs. Accordingly, ICS conducted a questionnaire survey to identify and evaluate the possible cheetah-human conflicts with more than 80% of the area’s livestock  owners indicated that grey wolf is the major enemy to their ownership; however, a few cases of cheetah depredation on livestock were verified, seemingly ignorable. Then, it was tried to increase the people's awareness about the cheetah and the area's relevant conservational issues. A main target was to educate herders that they could have a better pasture for their next year grazing season if they leave the area just in early spring. It would provide the area an opportunity to grow and feed the gazelles for the cheetah.  The result was incredible: according to the local authorities, illegal spring grazing in 2005 has had a remarkable decrease in comparison with spring 2004!!!

You can download the complete report in PDF format here.