Iran has suffered a blow to its conservation efforts with the death of Pirouz, a rare Asiatic cheetah cub. The cub, who was just a few months old, was being cared for by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) in the hopes of saving the critically endangered species.
According to the ICS, Pirouz had been found in the wild and was in poor health when he was brought to the organization’s facility for treatment. Despite their best efforts, the cub was unable to recover and passed away.
Asiatic cheetahs, also known as Iranian cheetahs, are among the most endangered big cats in the world. It is estimated that fewer than 50 of the animals remain in the wild, making them one of the rarest mammals on the planet.
Conservationists in Iran have been working to protect the Asiatic cheetah and its habitat for decades, but the animal’s survival remains in doubt. The main threats to the species are habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as poaching and hunting.
The death of Pirouz is a setback for the ICS and for conservation efforts in Iran more broadly. The organization has been working to raise awareness of the plight of the Asiatic cheetah and to build support for its conservation.
Despite the challenges, conservationists remain committed to saving the Asiatic cheetah and other endangered species in Iran. They are calling for increased funding and support to help protect the animals and their habitats.