Tehran – “National Cheetah Day” is celebrated annually on August 31st, raising awareness about the importance of protecting and increasing the existing population of Asian Cheetahs in the country.
After roaming the vast plains from Western Asia to India, Asian cheetahs are now only found in Iran. Since 2001, around 85 cheetahs have died due to factors related to humans, indicating that they are more threatening their survival than nature.
It is listed as one of the world’s most endangered large cats, and saving Asian Cheetah from extinction has turned into a common responsibility.
The latest report by the Ministry of the Environment (DOE) shows that there are 26 Asian cheetahs across the country, 20 people live in the wild and six people live in captivity.
According to Doo Head Sheena Ansari, the world’s rarest cat extinction has become a symbol of our challenges and responsibility for the nature of Iran.
Preserving cheetahs is not just an environmental issue. This is a symbol of the country’s ecosystem health and life balance guardians. Protecting cheetahs means securing the right to life for people and nature.
The DOE is doing its best to maintain endangered animals. However, the goals are only met by participation and involvement of people, media, responsible institutions, and nature lovers.
Move livestock from cheetah habitats and wing the Tehran Mashhad Road, one of the most dangerous areas, and breeding prisoners is one of the latest measures the DOE is taking to maintain cheetahs.
The DOE is also following up a 2 trillion rial (approximately $2 million) allocation to reduce cheetah deaths on Tehran Mashhad Road through enhanced road lighting, slower vehicle speeds and fencing. You can also use drones and other wildlife monitoring tools to save cheetahs in the area.
According to the latest report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 154 Iranian vertebrates are extremely at risk of extinction.
In May, President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order, requiring the DOE to develop a strategic plan to preserve the domestic endangered species species.
The DOE has already developed an action plan for the conservation of 25 endangered species, and the plan is being implemented domestically. It also plans to organize a committee on the conservation of critical species of endangered species, including cheetahs, black bears and Great Bastards.
Currently, around 128 species of animals and vertebrates in the country are at risk of extinction, some of which are not in good condition and amphibians are the most vulnerable in the region. Persian zebras, Asian cheetahs, black bears and yellow deer are at risk of extinction.
Covering different environmental sectors requires comprehensive and operational planning in the environmental sector. It should include goals, assumptions, operational measures, financial resources, and outcomes.
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