Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus)

[Acinonyx sp.]

*This image is copyright of its original author

Cheetah spotted in Touran National Park in 2021, photo by Iran Cheetah Soceity Reply

[Acinonyx sp.]

Beautiful young asiatic cheetah

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply

[Acinonyx sp.]

Harb the female asiatic cheetah and family

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply

[Matias]

Iran Says Only 12 Asiatic Cheetahs Left In Country

The subspecies has collapsed... rapidly heading towards functional extinction.

There is no other way but to collect them all in an assisted reproduction program. Where genetic science in common with conservation genetics can find ways to keep the subspecies alive. But, I don't believe in Iran's interest in opening paths and putting into practice this approach dependent on external agents (funding and wildlife professionals).

It remains to wait for the practical measures to be taken.

For the great project of reintroduction of the Cheetah into Indian lands, it could be an important impetus to deflect forces to the contrary.

"biologically, cheetahs are both an African and an Asian asset, so the species should be returned to those who pave the way for their return." 

Reply

[Lycaon]

@Matias 

Here is a clarification on that report.

https://www.wildlife.ir/en/2022/01/16/are-there-only-12-asiatic-cheetahs-left-in-iran/ Reply

[Lycaon]

Some fantastic news.

https://www.wildlife.ir/en/2022/05/01/first-captive-born-asiatic-cheetahs-in-iran/ Reply

[Matias]

Last of Iran’s endangered Asiatic cheetah cubs in captivity dies


There's not much to comment... only regret! Reply

[TheHyenid76]

Videos of Asiatic Cheetahs hunting prey

Animal behavior informed by history: Was the Asiatic cheetah an obligate gazelle hunter?

Abstract

Understanding key ecological adaptations, such as foraging, when a predator is almost extinct is complex. Nonetheless, that information is vital for the recovery of the persisting individuals. Therefore, reviewing historical, ethnobiological and recent records can assist in exploring the species behavioral ecology. We applied this approach to Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), which once roamed most west and central Asian countries but now is confined to a few dozens in Iran, at historical (pre-1970) and recent (post-1970) scales. We addressed a widely popular perception that Asiatic cheetahs were subjected to prey shifts from gazelles (Gazella spp.) in open plains areas to urial (Ovis vignei) in mountains because of gazelle populations declines due to anthropogenic influences. We also quantified recent prey choice of Asiatic cheetahs and their behavioral plasticity in foraging different prey species types. Although ethnobiological and historical records suggested that gazelle species were the main prey for cheetahs across their Asian range. However, urial were also commonly reported to be hunted by cheetahs across their historical Asian range, showing that the predation on mountain ungulates is not an emerging hunting behavior in Asiatic cheetahs. We found spatiotemporal plasticity in recent hunting behavior of cheetahs with selective predation on adult urial males. There was temporal overlap in hunting times for plains dwelling versus mountain ungulates, albeit with some minor differences with morning mostly for gazelles while the predation on mountain ungulates was predominantly post-midday. We provided three management implications for the recovery and restoration of cheetahs in Asia. Our work highlighted the importance of historical studies in informing the behavioral ecology of rare species.

Animal behavior informed by history: Was the Asiatic cheetah an obligate gazelle hunter? Reply