A week ago, during a trip to Touran Biosphere Reserve, we discovered an intriguing photograph of a cheetah among the numerous wildlife images captured by our camera traps. This particular cheetah had not been previously documented and is not part of our known cheetah population. It is believed to be a female, possibly one of the cubs born four years ago. However, due to the lack of clear images of all the cubs, identifying her poses a challenge.
The discovery of this cheetah is significant as it could represent a new addition to the population or one of the previously known cubs. Both scenarios are encouraging because the survival of Asiatic Cheetahs relies on the introduction of new genes into the population.
Furthermore, the return of cheetahs that had separated from their mothers years ago to the protected areas is a hopeful sign, indicating their ability to survive outside the protected zones.
It’s worth noting that Touran Biosphere Reserve is the largest complex of protected areas in Iran, covering an area of approximately 1,459,506.2 hectares. It is home to several endangered species, including the critically endangered Asiatic Cheetah.
Less than 40 Asiatic Cheetahs are left in the world.
It’s disheartening to learn that there are fewer than 40 Asiatic Cheetahs remaining in the world. The conservation efforts for these magnificent creatures are crucial to ensure their survival and protect their habitats.
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