In a recent interview, I had the opportunity to discuss the critical conservation efforts for the Asiatic cheetah in Iran. Here are some key points from our conversation:
International Cooperation: I emphasized the importance of global engagement in wildlife conservation. Events like the first global cheetah summit in Ethiopia are crucial for sharing data and perspectives, which can help enhance conservation efforts within Iran.
Challenges Due to Sanctions: Sanctions have significantly impacted our ability to procure high-quality equipment and maintain essential resources like patrol cars. This has led to a reliance on lower-quality goods and hindered our conservation efforts.
Use of Camera Traps: Camera traps are vital for monitoring the cheetah population, especially given the large range and low population density of the species. However, regulations and sanctions pose challenges to their effective use.
Urgent Need for Broader Intervention: For the Asiatic cheetah to recover, we need urgent and coordinated efforts. This includes increasing the prey population and addressing the dangers posed by transit roads.
For a more detailed account of our discussion and to learn more about the ongoing efforts to save the Asiatic cheetah, please read the full interview here.