The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is one of the world’s most endangered big cats. This subspecies is distinct from its more numerous African counterparts, having diverged genetically between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago. Its extreme rarity highlights the urgent need to understand its existence and the unique challenges it faces.
Current Home
The sole remaining population of Asiatic cheetahs lives exclusively in Iran, inhabiting the eastern-central arid regions of the country, primarily within its vast central desert plateau. Key areas include the desert regions around Dasht-e Kavir, within provinces such as Kerman, Khorasan, Semnan, Yazd, Tehran, and Markazi. Many individuals are found within established protected areas, including Kavir National Park and Touran National Park. The Touran Biosphere Reserve in northeastern Iran is an important stronghold. Recent reports suggest fewer than 40 individuals remain in the wild.
Historical Domain
Historically, the Asiatic cheetah’s range was far more extensive, stretching across the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East. Its domain once encompassed the Caspian region, Transcaucasia, the Kyzylkum Desert, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. This wide distribution gradually diminished throughout the 20th century due to human pressures. By the 1950s, the species was extinct in Afghanistan, and the last known individual in Turkmenistan was killed in 1984. This contraction of their historical range highlights the decline in their numbers, with Iran now serving as their final refuge.
Life in Their Habitat
The Asiatic cheetah lives in the arid and semi-arid environments of Iran’s central plateau. Their preferred habitat includes open lands, small plains, and semi-desert areas, where they can effectively hunt prey. While primarily desert dwellers, they can also be found in more rugged, mountainous terrain with sparse vegetation. The climate in these regions is marked by hot summers and cold winters, posing challenges for survival.
Scarcity of prey, such as chinkara, goitered gazelle, wild sheep, and wild goat, is a challenge in these ecosystems. Human encroachment further exacerbates these difficulties, leading to habitat fragmentation. Roads crisscrossing their territories force cheetahs to cross, resulting in frequent vehicle collisions, which account for a substantial number of deaths. Limited water sources also present a challenge in these dry landscapes.
Protecting Their Last Stronghold
Numerous conservation initiatives are actively working to protect the Asiatic cheetah within its remaining Iranian habitat. Establishing protected areas like Touran Biosphere Reserve is a primary strategy, providing safe areas for the species. Efforts include anti-poaching measures and strengthening enforcement officials to safeguard the cheetahs and their prey base. Community involvement programs are also important, raising awareness among local populations about the importance of conservation and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
Research efforts, utilizing tools like camera traps and GPS collars, monitor cheetah movements and gather ecological data. Projects aim to mitigate direct threats, such as road accidents, by advocating for speed limits within habitats and exploring the construction of wildlife crossings. Initiatives also focus on improving habitat quality by securing grazing grounds and establishing water resources within protected areas. These actions represent a concerted effort to preserve this big cat.