TEHRAN -- The Touran Biosphere Reserve in Semnan province stands as the most vital sanctuary for Iran’s dwindling cheetah population. Yet, despite its significance, the region is fraught with challenges that place these already vulnerable animals at even greater risk.
One of the primary threats stems from the presence of camels and other livestock, which can disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem in multiple ways.
According to Director-General of the Environmental Protection Department of Semnan Province Saeed Yousefpour, these domestic animals pose both direct and indirect dangers to the cheetahs.
The relentless drought, worsened by climate change and insufficient rainfall, has drastically reduced the availability of water sources. In such arid conditions, unmanaged livestock and camels further restrict the cheetahs’ access to these scarce water reserves, intensifying the struggle for survival.
Additionally, overgrazing by livestock diminishes vegetation cover, which is essential for sustaining the populations of wild prey—the cheetah’s primary food source. A shrinking prey base makes hunting increasingly difficult for these apex predators, further threatening their fragile existence.
Another pressing concern is the presence of sheepdogs, which have been responsible for multiple cheetah fatalities. In recent years, several Asiatic cheetahs have fallen victim to both dogs and human intervention, making it clear that greater protection measures are needed.
Despite these obstacles, efforts are underway to mitigate the threats.
“Semnan’s environmental department has taken steps to manage livestock and camel presence, enhance vegetation cover, and increase prey populations,” Yousefpour said.
He also noted that conservation strategies are being expanded to include cheetah habitats in the north, east, and southeast of Touran, ensuring a broader approach to their protection.
One of the most tragic and preventable dangers facing Asiatic cheetahs is road accidents. The Abbasabad-Mayami road in Semnan has been a particularly deadly stretch, where multiple cheetahs have lost their lives to speeding vehicles over the years.
“Measures such as speed limits, installing lights, and fences have been implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development, which have shown some effectiveness in reducing road accidents involving cheetahs but still require further improvement,” he said.
However, without continuous monitoring and stricter enforcement, these efforts may not be enough to curb the loss of more cheetahs on the roads.
In addition to these environmental and human-induced threats, manpower shortages in cheetah habitats present another major challenge to effective conservation. A lack of rangers and on-the-ground personnel has hindered efforts to fully implement protection plans, allowing threats to persist.
“Addressing current conservation issues and allocating additional resources for on-the-ground efforts at both national and regional levels will be essential for ensuring the survival of Iran’s Asiatic cheetahs,” Yousefpour told the Press TV website.
As a top predator, the Asiatic cheetah is not just another species fighting for survival—it is a keystone species that plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of its ecosystem.
Any disruption in the cheetah population could trigger cascading effects throughout the food chain, leading to long-term environmental consequences.
Every species is interconnected, and protecting the Asiatic cheetah would mean safeguarding countless other species and the natural landscapes they call home.
“The extinction of the Asiatic cheetah would have irreversible effects on the ecosystem,” Yousefpour warned, underlining the urgency of immediate and decisive action.
Hamed Aboulghasemi, a dedicated conservationist, delved deeper into the escalating crisis threatening cheetah populations, emphasizing that vast habitat loss remains the most pressing concern.
“Even if we successfully increase the cheetah population through captive breeding, where will we release them when their natural habitats are severely impacted by various factors,” he told the Press TV website.
The efforts to establish captive breeding programs for Asiatic cheetahs took root with Delbar, a female cheetah, and her male companion, Kushki. In 2015, Delbar became pregnant naturally, raising hopes for a breakthrough in conservation. However, heartbreak followed when she tragically lost her cub.
More recently, in May 2022, another female cheetah named ‘Iran’ gave birth to three cubs at the Touran Wildlife Refuge, reigniting optimism. Yet, sorrow hit again as none of the cubs survived.
Aboulghasemi shed light on the forces accelerating cheetah habitat loss, citing factors like desertification, unregulated mining, overgrazing, and unchecked livestock breeding.
“These practices exacerbate the already significant threat to the cheetahs’ natural environment, compounding the challenges faced by conservationists,” he said.
Expressing concern over the inefficacy of current conservation strategies, Aboulghasemi criticized their fragmented nature, arguing that the lack of an integrated approach has significantly stalled progress.
He further highlighted the persistent shortages of staff and equipment at the sprawling 1.5 million-hectare Touran Biosphere Reserve, stressing that these deficiencies continue to undermine critical conservation efforts.
Underscoring the intricate link between cheetahs and their ecosystem, he said safeguarding the species is not merely about wildlife preservation but is essential to maintaining environmental balance.
The repercussions of habitat loss extend far beyond the cheetahs themselves, affecting vegetation and giving rise to sand and dust storm hotspots, which pose a threat to both wildlife and human health.
“The decline of cheetah populations and their habitats are intertwined with the welfare of humans. By conserving cheetahs and protecting their environment, we not only preserve the ecosystem but also create opportunities to improve human lives,” he remarked. Concluded