Observed each year on March 3rd, Tehran is an opportunity to celebrate many beautiful and diverse forms of wildlife around the world, recognising the many benefits and reminding us of the urgent need to enhance wildlife crime and reductions in species caused by humans.
A vast country with climate diversity, Iran has around 2,000 species of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, inland water fish and 8,000 plant species, with over 1,700 people endemic or native to them.
This rich biodiversity serves as a valuable genetic and biological reserve for the country, requiring the special support and attention of many species.
The latest statistics from the Ministry of the Environment (DOE) are home to 210 species of mammals, 640 species of birds, 300 species of reptiles, 23 species of amphibians and 350 species of inland water fish.
Of these, a total of 76 Iranian wildlife species are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, indicating that they are at risk of extinction. They include 19 species of mammals, 25 species of birds, 16 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, and 10 species of inland fish.
Endangered species include Persian yellow deer, Persian zebra, Caspianseal, Bastard, Leopard, Asian black bear, Manger crocodile (Gand), Blue whale, Fing whale, and Persian cheetah.
People everywhere rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet their needs, from food to fuel, medicine, housing and clothing. To enjoy the benefits and beauty that nature brings to us and our planets, people work together to allow ecosystems to flourish, allowing plants and animal species to exist for future generations.
Meanwhile, habitat destruction, fragmentation and correction caused by human-driven activities such as industrial and housing development, logging, crop agriculture, livestock grazing, mining, road and dam buildings, and pesticide use have been putting an incredible rate at an extreme cost to the population of endangered and endangered wildlife.
However, working together to raise adequate funding for conservation efforts appears to be essential to implementing conservation projects and initiatives.
Therefore, the 2025 theme of International Day, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planets,” explores how we can work together to make current financial flows more effective and sustainable, and build a resilient future for both people and planets.
The DOE plans to protect endangered species species by establishing conservation committees with the help of non-governmental organizations, and plans to promote collaboration with the public, rangers, experts and government agencies.
The DOE has also developed an action plan for the conservation of 23 endangered species in operation in the country.
The plan aims to address species such as cheetahs, brown bears, leopards, leopards, Persian yellow deer, Persian zebras and game birds, among the 86 endangered species. They plan to create an action plan for 20 more endangered species.