From Pirouz to Helia
No tough decisions, no future for Asiatic cheetah: Researcher
The Asiatic cheetah, also known as the Iranian cheetah and the nation’s emblematic wildlife species and the sole surviving representative anywhere on Earth, has, for many years, subsisted upon the precipice of extinction. Notwithstanding the implementation of diverse conservation initiatives, ranging from captive propagation to the execution of programs intended to diminish roadway fatalities, numerous questions concerning the efficacy of these measures, the authentic demographic status of the cheetah population, and the prospective destiny of this invaluable species, continue to persist. Conversely, the dissemination of encouraging reports, such as the successful reproduction of certain cheetahs in the wild, together with accounts of habitat contraction and the perpetuation of existential threats, has rendered an exact appraisal of the species’ condition more consequential than ever before. Under such circumstances, the absence of a systematic and scientifically rigorous monitoring framework, disagreements concerning the actual number of surviving cheetahs, the fate of the captive-breeding program, the imperative necessity of genetic investigations, and even the proposition of employing African cheetahs to avert the extinction of the Asiatic cheetah, have all turned into contentious subjects among specialists. To scrutinize these issues, Iran Daily conducted an exclusive interview with Morteza Pourmirzai, a wildlife conservationist, researcher, Asiatic cheetah specialist, and chief executive officer of the Sarvin Wildlife Conservation. Having devoted many years to the study and monitoring of the Asiatic cheetah, and having also served for several years as the CEO of the Iranian Cheetah Society, he elucidated the latest condition of the Asiatic cheetah, while addressing the challenges of conservation, the deficiencies of executive programs, the destiny of the captive-breeding project, the status of habitats, and the strategies capable of extricating this invaluable species from the crisis of extinction. The complete transcript of the translated interview appears below.
IRAN DAILY: How do you evaluate the current condition of the Asiatic cheetah? Some contend that the situation has improved, whereas others maintain that it has remained unchanged or has even deteriorated. What is your perspective regarding this matter?
POURMIRZAI: The indispensable prerequisite for asserting that a demographic alteration has occurred within the cheetah population, and subsequently evaluating whether that alteration has been beneficial or otherwise, consists of one element alone: population monitoring. In other words, the population must undergo proper and scientifically rigorous monitoring. Upon the foundation of an almost integrated monitoring system, the antecedent and subsequent findings must undergo comparative evaluation, and only thereafter may one ascertain what alteration has transpired and whether the situation has ameliorated or deteriorated.
At present, the previous form of monitoring has entirely ceased to exist. Limited camera-trap deployment persists only within certain sectors of the Touran region, and even that activity is not conducted by a specialized team. Rather, an interested individual who had connections with environmental authorities has installed several cameras there. For approximately the last two years, we ourselves have not received authorization for camera deployment. Consequently, I myself cannot inform you whether conditions have improved or worsened. Perhaps they have improved; perhaps they have not. Nevertheless, the most precise response I can furnish is that I simply do not know. Indeed, nobody else knows either because no precise monitoring or surveillance has been conducted.
However, as a researcher, upon the basis of the available evidence and activities, what is your assessment of the present situation?
As a researcher in this field, upon the basis of the available evidence, activities, and measures undertaken for the cheetah, I can present an evaluation of the current situation. At present, activities concerning the cheetah are conducted in a relatively systematic manner by the Department of Environment, and this organization, pursuant to its responsibilities and institutional procedures, performs a variety of tasks. For instance, it recruits new game wardens. The most recent announcement, approximately one year ago, indicated that eight individuals had been recruited, although the status of their contract renewals remains indeterminate. Several others had already been employed previously. Nevertheless, for a species confronting an exceptionally elevated risk of extinction, considerably more comprehensive measures are required. Recruiting eight game wardens, whose continued employment has not yet been confirmed, does not constitute a substantial accomplishment. For example, the Touran Protected Area possesses approximately 30 to 35 game wardens. This number is inadequate for a habitat encompassing 1.5 million hectares, within which only half that number — namely 15 wardens — conduct patrols during each shift. In practical terms, each game warden bears responsibility, on average, for safeguarding 100,000 hectares, and the reality is that no individual game warden possesses the capacity to protect 100,000 hectares. Consequently, proclaiming the recruitment of eight auxiliary personnel cannot be regarded as a noteworthy achievement for cheetah conservation.
What deficiencies exist regarding the collection of cheetah-related data?
With respect to the collection of cheetah-related data, the prevailing methodologies are unscientific and devoid of professional rigor. Moreover, the monitoring and census of ungulate (hoofed) species are considerably less complicated than those of carnivorous species because, among ungulates, observers may approach herds more closely, enumerate individuals through direct observation, and subsequently announce statistical estimates. Conversely, conducting a population census of carnivorous animals is by no means so straightforward because such animals deliberately avoid visibility and rapidly flee. Indeed, throughout approximately 17 years devoted to cheetah research and field exploration, I have personally observed a cheetah only twice.
Consequently, an unequivocal assertion that, for example, “upon the basis of camera registrations and monitoring, we possess 20 cheetahs,” cannot possess a particularly high degree of precision. Furthermore, within these monitoring efforts, recently, cubs have occasionally been incorporated into the reported population totals, whereas, from a scientific perspective, a cub cannot be considered part of the population until it has attained independence from its mother. Approximately two years after birth, cheetahs gradually become independent and commence reproduction. In other words, within an approximately three-year interval, they achieve independence and enter the breeding population. Only after reaching the age of three, if a photographic record is obtained, may we affirm that one additional individual has entered our recognized population. Otherwise, prior to that stage, innumerable contingencies could result in its mortality.
One encouraging development concerning the cheetah was that “Helia,” a female cheetah inhabiting the Miandasht Wildlife Refuge in North Khorasan Province, gave birth to five cubs. More recently, however, reports initially indicated that two cubs had disappeared, and subsequently asserted that two cubs had been observed independently of their mother within the region. What is your opinion concerning this matter?
Helia’s successful reproduction in the wild during the past year, producing five cubs, constituted extraordinarily auspicious news for the cheetah population and revitalized hopes for the continuation of the Asiatic cheetah lineage and the prevention of its extinction. Subsequently, reports emerged that two cheetahs had been observed in Miandasht, accompanied by assertions that they were Helia’s remaining cubs, which had attained independence earlier than expected. Scientifically, however, that interpretation is erroneous. Those two cubs have, in all probability, not yet attained independence, and their survival remains imperiled. Our supposition is that they most likely became separated from their mother because of circumstances such as pursuit by hunters or livestock herders.
On certain occasions, individuals pursuing photographic opportunities also pursue cheetahs with motorcycles, and such actions may fragment family groups. Ordinarily, cheetah cubs do not separate from their mothers before reaching 18 months of age. The probability that such an involuntary separation occurred is exceedingly high. Fortunately, however, the two cubs remained together and therefore possess the capacity to hunt cooperatively.
Consequently, the assertion by certain officials that these cubs achieved premature independence appears incorrect to me. This constituted an unintended occurrence, and the cubs could easily have perished. Fortunately, they remained together and succeeded in hunting. In essence, we were fortunate. Subsequently, if one wishes to evaluate the matter from scientific and conservation-oriented perspectives, one must investigate the circumstances that occasioned their separation from their mother and then determine whether additional protective measures or assistance have become necessary.
What measures have proven beneficial and efficacious for rescuing the Iranian cheetah?
At present, cheetahs confront the danger of roadway collisions resulting from vehicular impacts. We already know that, regarding cheetah conservation, the same measures as before are still being implemented, albeit at an exceedingly slow pace. For example, roadside fencing is not being completed with the requisite expediency, and the procurement of equipment is likewise not proceeding with the necessary swiftness.
The Department of Environment also administers a project entitled the “Captive Cheetah Breeding Program,” which has now persisted for more than 10 years since its inception. A cheetah cub named Pirouz constituted the latest achievement and outcome of this project in 2023, yet that outcome — namely, Pirouz — perished during the same year. That cub represented the final product of a project upon which billions of tomans had been expended.
For the implementation of that project, a healthy adult female cheetah was removed from the wild, captured near Miandasht, and transferred into the breeding enclosure. We have even received reports indicating that another wild cheetah was also confined within the enclosure for a period of time. Nevertheless, none of these measures has produced any tangible outcome. Admittedly, this captive-breeding program still continues, yet it has generated no results whatsoever, nor has any information concerning its progress been disclosed. Ordinarily, by May, we should have witnessed another cheetah birth. Instead, several years have elapsed, and, subsequent to Pirouz, no outcome has materialized and no development has occurred. Meanwhile, the project’s funding has not been discontinued, and its specialists continue their work, yet no tangible result exists.
Under these circumstances, may we conclude that the captive cheetah project has now failed and ought not to continue?
Two issues exist. Whenever the population becomes exceedingly small, we must maintain a supplementary captive population, so that, should our wild population encounter any adversity, or, for example, should one of the cheetah cubs that has become separated from its mother sustain an injury and consequently become incapable of hunting, it may be maintained within the supplementary captive population. The essential issue is that, under these circumstances, we must assist every individual cheetah in transmitting its genetic material to the succeeding generation, whether in the wild or in captivity.
However, transporting cheetahs from the wild into captivity at the present time, while achieving no reproductive success whatsoever, is by no means desirable. At present, we possess four females and one male in captivity, none of which has produced any accomplishment subsequent to Pirouz, and, regrettably, they are advancing in age and consequently forfeiting their reproductive capacity because, if females fail to reproduce within the first two or three years after attaining sexual maturity — that is, within one or two years following maturity — the probability of successful reproduction declines suddenly. At present, we have Azar, Touran, and another female cheetah named Mahour, all of which have already attained that stage of life and have not yet reproduced. The fourth female cheetah, named Delbar, is now exceedingly aged and no longer possesses reproductive capability.
Please explain the latest demographic estimates concerning the Asiatic cheetah population, the trajectory of its continued survival, and its remaining regions and habitats within Iran.
At present, the majority of the cheetah population inhabits eastern Semnan Province and southern North Khorasan Province, namely, the Touran region and Miandasht. Their habitat in Yazd Province has disappeared. The latest estimate that we produced, and that we may still legitimately announce, is fewer than 30 individuals. Throughout these 13 years, cameras have been deployed across 12 distinct regions to document cheetah numbers. The cumulative outcome of studies conducted over a 13-year interval is that, after 13 years, we now possess 30 cheetahs. That constitutes the most recent conclusion upon which we may legitimately predicate any assertion.
Regrettably, throughout these 13 years and continuing until the present, the trend has been one of reduction because our initial estimate indicated a population of fewer than 70 individuals. Gradually, however, we entirely forfeited the southern habitat, and we likewise forfeited our western habitat, namely Kavir National Park. Throughout the entire period during which research and monitoring were conducted, these habitats disappeared, and the remaining habitats have now become confined to the Touran region and Miandasht. Regrettably, during this interval, we even experienced one occasion upon which Miandasht lost its entire cheetah population. Nevertheless, owing to Helia and her cubs, after six years during which the cheetah had become extinct there, cheetahs once again inhabit the area. Overall, however, the trajectory remains unpromising. Precisely for that reason, I maintain that merely recruiting, for example, eight auxiliary personnel exerts no influence whatsoever upon the destiny of the cheetah.
For the purpose of ensuring the continuation of the cheetah lineage in Iran, another proposal had also been advanced, namely, importing several cheetahs from Africa. Does that proposal remain under consideration?
No action whatsoever has been undertaken in that regard. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it is an excellent proposal because, if we intend to prevent the extinction of our cheetah, we must undertake every conceivable measure. At present, no simple solution exists for preserving the cheetah lineage, and we must possess the fortitude to adopt difficult decisions. One such difficult solution consists of maintaining a genetically mixed cheetah population; such a population is preferable to possessing no cheetahs whatsoever. Certainly, all of us would prefer to preserve a genetically pure Asiatic cheetah because it survives exclusively in Iran. Occasionally, however, no alternative remains. Before reaching that juncture, we have, for several years, consistently maintained that comprehensive genetic studies must be conducted upon our cheetahs. Such investigations require considerable financial resources, resources that only the Department of Environment can provide, and only that organization possesses the legal authority to authorize their execution.
For what purpose should genetic studies be conducted?
Whenever one intends to undertake an activity concerning, for example, cheetah conservation, one must first establish its scientific foundation. In other words, I must ascertain the genetic status of our cheetahs. If, for example, I import two male cheetahs and two female cheetahs from Africa, will I possess sufficient genetic diversity to preserve the health of my population throughout the next 10 years, or will I not? Alternatively, is the situation considerably more catastrophic than that, thereby necessitating the importation of a substantially larger population, or even annual importations?
The answer to every one of those questions resides within the genetic study. In other words, whenever one intends to resolve a problem, one must first ascertain its magnitude, and only thereafter undertake its resolution. Consequently, for the cheetah, a genetic study is more indispensable than daily sustenance. We have articulated this necessity for several years, yet it has received no attention because genetic investigations require genetic samples, and, from a legal standpoint, only the Department of Environment may conduct such procedures.
I believe that the Department of Environment must awaken to reality without delay and, rather than merely attempting to suppress criticism through the publication of favorable news, generate authentic achievements and permit independent, nongovernmental individuals and supporting institutions to contribute their expertise and assistance. Otherwise, if it merely endeavors to soothe public opinion through favorable publicity, the ultimate consequence will be an immensely tragic announcement: the extinction of the Asiatic cheetah. At that moment, the Department will confront that very public opinion in complete isolation.
For several years, the image of the Asiatic cheetah has appeared upon the uniforms of Iran’s national athletes during multiple FIFA World Cups and international competitions in support of the species. In your opinion, has this initiative been beneficial for the cheetah?
It has been extraordinarily efficacious, both within Iran and internationally. In my opinion, it has constituted an immensely significant contribution to the cheetah. The presence of the cheetah upon the national team’s jersey has enhanced public awareness and familiarity with the species and has increased public affection for it.
Nevertheless, we may assert that this influence has contributed to conservation only if it results in the attraction of financial support, an increase in the number of sponsors supporting the cheetah, greater governmental dedication of time and financial resources, and heightened public and institutional attention. Unfortunately, although this initiative has profoundly influenced both the Iranian public and the international community, it has not exerted a comparable influence upon the government, the policymaking apparatus, or the acquisition of financial support and international assistance for the Asiatic cheetah conservation project.
To secure such financial assistance, one must also resolve the issue of sanctions, and that objective requires lobbying and sustained effort. It is not impossible, but it is arduous, and the government must undertake that responsibility. Meanwhile, the project for restoring the cheetah population in Iran and augmenting its numbers represents an exceptional opportunity to generate foreign-currency revenue for the country, create employment within local communities, and thereby mitigate rural-to-urban migration. Consequently, the continuation of the initiative featuring the cheetah upon the uniforms of the national athletes is commendable because awareness-raising is invariably beneficial from our perspective. Likewise, preserving our national symbols and giving them the respect that they deserve is invariably a very fine undertaking.