Persian leopard project annual report released.
During the period of September 2007 to September 2008, wildlife biologists of Plan
for the Land Society with support of provincial offices of Department of Environment
have implemented the "Persian leopard project" with the aim of research and conservation
of this elusive species. The provided document is the annual report of activities
of this project in Farsi (Persian language) which has an executive summary in English.
Hope to continue this well-praised project with support of international organizations
in the coming years.
The Persian leopard is among the largest leopard subspecies which is listed in the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered". Total population size of this
subspecies does not exceed 1300 individuals; most of the cats are found in Iran
(550-850 animals). However, over the past 25 years in many areas of its vast range
the leopard was exterminated and in the others its numbers were significantly reduced.
The drastic decline of population size has been a result of poaching, prey reduction
and habitat loss. After 87 days of field survey and the sampling effort of over
1012 trap-nights, 6 adult individuals and a cub were identified by their unique
coat patterns. Population size in Bamu National Park was scientifically estimated
by CAPTURE software as 6±0.24 individuals. This is the first study of this type
in Iran and is among the few camera-trap studies on leopard worldwide. The public-awareness
campaigns and children educational programmes were started in summer 2008 and continue
now. During the first year, the Persian leopard project has tried to do its best
to better introduce this magnificent species and Iran’s unique nature to people
by inviting international scientists and conservationists, gaining awards and funds,
and publishing scientific and popular literature. We propose to continue the scientific
research and conservation actions with the support of different organizations in
the future. Our activities will be expanded over the new areas (Golestan National
Park and Kiamaky Wildlife Refuge) during the next years of the project.
Persian
leopard project annual report (PDF)
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