Iranian officials are fighting to save the Asiatic cheetah as the critically endangered animal's population drops to dangerously low numbers in one of its last habitats.
Threatened by poachers and a decrease in prey, Asiatic cheetahs used to roam from the Red Sea to India, but their numbers have fallen drastically in the past century, the Associated Press reported. In Iran, the species' population has shrunk from around 400 in the 1990s to about 50 to 70 today.
"There are no other Asiatic cheetahs like the one that you have here in Iran, so it is essential for us as human beings to conserve our biodiversity by protecting this animal," said Gary Lewis of the U.N. Development Program, as quoted by the AP.
A close relative of the African cheetah, which is also threatened, the Asiatic cheetah is just as speedy. The Iranian government hopes the spotted animal will encourage tourism, something that has additionally fueled conservation efforts for the cheetah.
Key threats for the Asiatic cheetah include gazelle hunting, which reduces the cat's main source of prey, and the developing area. The animal's habitat has been at risk as shepherds, sheep dogs and cars pose a threat.
"It is an endangered species. The cheetah is considered to be one of the most charismatic cats," said Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, who heads Iran's Department of the Environment, as quoted by the AP.
"It is important for, for example, our ecotourism when many people who enjoy coming just to visit our natural habitats for the cheetah and to see, to have a glimpse of the cheetah." said Ebtekar. "So we are working very seriously with international organizations as well as our national specialists and experts to protect this species."
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