Hunter L, Jowkar H, Ziaie H, Schaller GB, Balme G, Walzer C, Ostrowski S, Zahler P, Robert- Charrue N, Kashiri K, Christie S. 2007. Conserving the Asiatic cheetah in Iran: Launching the first radio-telemetry study. Cat News 46:8-11.
Keywords: 5IR/Acinonyx jubatus/cheetah/conservation/GPS/leopard/Panthera pardus/telemetry/threats
Abstract: Popularly considered a wholly African species, the cheetah Acinonyx jubatus once had a distribution that extended across the Middle East and Central Asia, extending north into southern Kazakhstan and east into India. Today outside of Africa, the cheetah has been extirpated from its entire Asiatic range except for a small and critically endangered population in the Islamic Republi of Iran. Estimated at 200 animals in the 1970's, the last Asiatic cheetahs are now thought to number around 60-100 animals restricted to the arid central Iranian plateau (roughly 30- 35º N, 52-60º E).To investigate the detailed ecology of the cheetah in Iran, we plan to capture eight cheetahs and fit them with GPS collars. Conserving the Asiatic Cheetah in Iran: Launching the First Radio- Telemetry Study
Luke Hunter1, Houman Jowkar2, Hooshang Ziaie2, George Schaller1, Guy Balme1, Chris Walzer3, Stephane Ostrowski1, Peter Zahler1, Nadia Robert-Charrue4, Kamran Kashiri2 and Sarah Christie5
opularly considered a wholly Wildlife Refuge, Daranjir Wildlife Ref- which likely limit cheetah hunting suc- African species, the cheetah uge and Bafgh Protected Area (Fig. 1). cess. PAcinonyx jubatus once had a The ecology of the Asiatic cheetah Cheetahs are strictly protected by distribution that extended across the is poorly known. Although the species law in Iran but direct persecution by Middle East and Central Asia, extend- has been comprehensively studied in people is also a significant threat. Chee- ing north into southern Kazakhstan the open savannas of East and southern tahs are killed for sport, for profit, or and east into India. Today outside of Africa, we have only a very rudimen- for protection of livestock (Karami Africa, the cheetah has been extirpat- tary understanding of their ecology and 1992, Schaller & O’Brien 2001, Hunter ed from its entire Asiatic range except conservation biology in Iran. There are 2004). In Namibia, farmers reported for a small and critically endangered no detailed data available on movement higher livestock losses to leopard, ca- population in the Islamic Republic patterns, area requirements, habitat racal, and jackal than to cheetah, yet of Iran. Estimated at 200 animals in preferences, feeding ecology or repro- removed more cheetahs than leopards the 1970’s, the last Asiatic cheetahs ductive biology. The most recent phase (Marker 2003), partly because cheetahs are now thought to number around of the CACP-WCS project is attempting were easy to trap and kill. Although the 60-100 animals restricted to the arid to address this deficiency by embark- evidence for livestock predation by Asi- central Iranian plateau (roughly 30- ing on the first radio-telemetry study of atic cheetahs is scant, it is not unusual 35º N, 52-60º E). Asiatic cheetahs. This paper summaries for local people in Iran to confuse leop- the current threats to cheetahs in Iran, ard and cheetah (Asadi 1997). Cheetahs Iran considers the cheetah an im- and describes the objectives and early may be killed when confused for leop- portant part of its natural and cultural progress of the telemetry effort since its ards or simply because they are feared heritage and the species has become a implementation in February 2007. or despised as carnivores. A herder symbol of the country’s conservation who killed three cubs near Bafgh PA efforts. In 2001, Iran’s Department of Threats to the cheetah in Iran in 2003 claimed not to know they were the Environment (DoE) launched a 5- The key factor affecting cheetah num- cheetahs but killed them because they year initiative in conjunction with the bers in Iran is the disappearance of prey. were ‘small cats.’ Additionally, numer- UNDP-GEF program and the Wildlife Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, ous major highways and national roads Conservation Society (WCS) entitled goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa traverse cheetah range in Iran, including “Conservation of the Asiatic Cheetah, and jebeer gazelle G. bennetti have through or adjacent to most protected Its Natural Habitat, and Associated Bio- suffered drastic declines in range and areas where the species is found. Annu- ta in the I.R. of Iran” (abbreviated as the numbers from hu- ally, at least 1-2 cheetahs are killed by ‘Conservation of the Asiatic Cheetah man hunting, vehicles on roads. Project’, CACP). Between 2001 though and loss of 2006, the CACP-WCS effort empha- habitat due to sized the implementation of emergency overgrazing and measures to mitigate threats to cheetahs drought (Karami and their prey, including reducing the 1992 Asadi 1997, killing of cheetahs and ungulate species Farhadinia 2004). by people, increasing protected areas Cheetahs in Iran staff numbers and training, increasing have been observed the provision of equipment for protect- preying upon Cape ed areas, and controlling livestock num- hares Lepus capensis but bers and overgrazing in protected areas. hares may be too small to Additionally, the project has conducted sustain cheetahs (especially continual surveys to determine the dis- females with cubs) and are scarce in tribution and abundance of cheetahs, some areas of cheetah range. From op- other large carnivores and ungulates in portunistic records of carcases, urial the five protected areas identified by the Ovis orientalis and wild goat Capra ae- CACP as the most important areas for gagrus appear to form the primary prey Fig. 1. Map of Iran, showing CACP reserves. cheetahs, namely Kavir National Park, today but both species inhabit mainly 1. Kavir NP; 2, Khar Turan NP; 3 DarAnjir Khar Turan National Park, Naybandan foothills or mountain slopes, habitats WR; 4 Naybandan WR; 5 Bafgh PA.
Spring 2007 In Iran, herders and their livestock are 1. To determine ranging patterns of Asi- phases of the project, we hope to moni- legally permitted into most protected atic cheetahs. Home range size, the area tor the dispersal of independent adoles- areas. Grazing in protected areas is re- required by cheetahs to meet their eco- cents. stricted to ‘buffer’ zones of protected logical needs, is generally related to the 6. To investigate the feeding ecology of areas, though legally that may comprise density of available prey. Prey density Asiatic cheetahs. Historically, cheetahs up to 80 % of the park. There is conflict- in Iran is among the lowest recorded in Asia probably concentrated on ga- ing evidence on the response of chee- anywhere in the distribution of the zelles as their main prey species but ca- tahs to the presence of people. Herd- cheetah (Schaller & O’Brien 2001) and lamitous declines in gazelle numbers in ers generally report that cheetahs are it is likely that Iranian cheetahs have ex- Iran means that cheetahs appear to have not bothered by their presence (Hunter tremely large home ranges. switched to less preferred prey (Farhad- 2004) but our observations indicate that 2. To determine habitat preferences of inia 2004). In particular, cheetahs ap- cheetahs avoid any human activity as- Asiatic cheetahs. Cheetahs are likely to pear to be reliant on urial sheep and siduously. Cheetahs are intensely shy in show preferences for certain habitats wild goat, both of which inhabit moun- Iran and flee rapidly whenever they en- and features of the landscape rather than tainous areas largely unsuitable for the counter people. Perhaps of greater con- utilizing equally the entire area in which cheetah’s cursorial hunting method. We sequence, the presence of people with they occur. For example, prey concen- will investigate what cheetahs eat, how livestock and dogs probably displaces trations occur (periodically, at least) in often they kill and where in the land- wild ungulates. The extent to which the dry watercourses and in the foothills scape they make their kills. Can chee- this disturbance constitutes a significant of mountains; these are areas in which tahs make a living on wild goat and uri- threat to cheetahs and their prey is cur- cheetahs are likely to concentrate their al when those species appear to spend rently unknown. hunting effort. Similarly, female chee- only a small proportion of their time A major limiting factor for Serengeti tahs require areas which have suitable away from mountainous habitats where cheetahs is competition from, and ju- den sites to bear and raise their cubs. cheetahs are ill-equipped to hunt? venile mortality caused by other large Identifying and protecting these fea- 7. To investigate the inter-relation- carnivores, mainly lions and spotted tures is crucial. ships of Asiatic cheetahs with leopards, hyenas (Durant 2000). Models based on 3. To investigate the connectivity be- striped hyaenas, wolves, caracals and two decades of cheetah data from the tween cheetah populations. Cheetahs are golden jackals. By collaring individu- Serengeti have shown that population presently concentrated around the edges als of each species, we aim to quantify growth is most strongly influenced by of the central Iranian plateau (Farhad- the degree of overlap in habitat use and adult survival followed by the survival inia 2004) though reports indicate they diet between them, and attempt to in- of juveniles (Kelly & Durant 2000). In exist elsewhere in the region. Some of vestigate the extent of competition over Iran, sympatric large carnivores with the known cheetah areas are hundred food resources. We will also attempt to the potential to adversely affect chee- of kilometers apart and may be isolated assess whether predation of adult and tahs are Persian leopards Panthera par- from all others. We aim to determine juvenile cheetahs by other carnivores dus saxicolor, striped hyaenas Hyaena the extent to which interchange occurs takes place. hyaena, grey wolves Canis lupus, cara- between cheetah populations and inves- cals Caracal caracal and golden jackals tigate the availability of suitable habitat Canis aureus but nothing is known of corridors between populations. their inter-relationships. In central Iran, 4. To investigate the effect of seasonal all six species appear to concentrate in presence of livestock and herders on similar habitat, the watercourses and cheetah movements and behavior. foothills of mountains, so considerable Cheetahs and their prey probably avoid potential for competition exists. Chee- people but whether they abandon an tahs, leopards and wolves concentrate area entirely or simply move away from on medium-sized ungulates and may the immediate proximity of people is a compete for prey. Leopards, wolves, key question. We will investigate the and possibly striped hyenas and groups response of telemetered cheetahs to the of jackals may drive cheetahs from their presence of herders and livestock. kills. All five species are potential cub 5. To establish reproductive parameters predators while leopards and wolves of Asiatic cheetahs. From camera-trap are capable of killing adult cheetahs as photographs and opportunistic sight- well. ings, we know that cheetahs are breed- ing but we know little else about their Research objectives. reproduction. Anecdotal reports indi- To investigate the detailed ecology of the cate the possibility of seasonal breed- cheetah in Iran, we plan to capture eight ing in Iranian cheetahs coinciding with cheetahs and fit them with GPS collars birth flushes of ungulate species, though Fig 2. Game trail with cheetah tracks. Wildlife thoroughfares such as this were (Vectronics, Germany; see Methods). the species is not known to be seasonal targeted for the setting of foot-snares (Pho- The specific aims of the study are: anywhere in its African range. In future to L. Hunter).
CAT News 46 Fig. 3. Cheetahs were relatively calm in foot-snares and did not Fig. 4. Guy Balme fitting GPS collar to anaesthetized male cheetah struggle violently when captured. All cats captured by foot-snares (Photo WCS/CACP/ZSL/A.Ghoddoosi). were unhurt by the process (Photo WCS/CACP/ZSL/A. Ghoddoosi).
8. To investigate the genetic character- we deployed foot-snares (Frank et al. tronics, Germany) with a timed CR-2A istics of the Asiatic cheetah. Tissue and 2003, Balme et al. in press) built by us drop-off unit (Telonics, Arizona) that blood samples from captured individu- and fitted with numerous modifications automatically removes the collar so that als will provide the first opportunity to to minimize the possibility of injury to re-capture of animals is unnecessary. accurately assess the genetic status of cheetahs (for detail, see www.bigcats. The total weight of collars including the the sub-species using fresh material. com/bigcats_asiatic_cheetah_collared. drop-off unit was 395 grams. Collars php). As cheetahs very rarely scavenge were programmed for four GPS acqui- Methods and respond poorly to baits, we estab- sitions per day, retrieved periodically by In February, 2007, we launched efforts lished ‘blind-sets’ by placing snares at uploading to a hand-held receiver via to capture cheetahs and other carni- key features in the environment where UHF radio link. Given the wide-ranging vores in the 885 km2 Bafgh PA, Yazd we anticipated relatively high rates movements of cheetahs in Iran, ideally Province. Bafgh PA records relatively of usage by cheetahs. Sites included data acquisition would be achieved by frequent sightings of cheetahs, has rela- solitary trees in valleys where cheetahs satellite or GSM uploads. However, the tively high densities of urial and wild have been camera-trapped while scent- smallest available Argos-GPS or GSM- goat, and all extant large carnivores for marking (and which may be analogous GPS collars with comparable specifi- the region occur there. It also experienc- to the ‘play-trees’ of cheetahs in Na- cations to our collars are considerably es seasonal influxes of herders and live- mibia; Marker 2003) as well as along heavier, and we consider them unsuit- stock in 80 % of the protected area, and game trails and dry riverbeds (Fig. 2). able for cheetahs. For all captured ani- cheetahs have been harassed and killed We set a total of 14 snares and moni- mals, we took standard morphological by people adjacent to the protected area tored them by fitting each with a TBT- measurements and biological samples (most recently reported in 2003; Hunter 500 trap transmitter (Telonics, Arizona), (tissue and blood). 2004, Farhadinia 2004). The capture enabling us to remotely check the traps effort described here ran from Febru- without creating additional disturbance Results and Discussion ary 12 to March 30, coinciding with the to the site. The TBT-500 runs continu- We captured two male Asiatic cheetahs, end of the cold, wet winter in Iran. By ously (confirming it is functioning) (Figs 3 & 4) one of which we recap- the end of March, temperatures in the and changes pulse rate when the trap is tured 15 days later, and one male Per- region are typically too high to safely triggered. We checked each by radio- sian leopard (Fig. 5) in approximately capture animals. receiver at hourly intervals around the 512 trap nights (Table 1); we did not Cheetahs in Iran are extremely clock from two camps which were 500 capture any other carnivores. To our shy and impossible to approach for m to 6 kms away from free-darting as is possible with habitu- snares. Table 1. Morphological data for 3 captured cats. HT = ated individuals in the protected areas Captured carnivores head-tail. of southern and East Africa (eg Caro were immobilized with ti- 1994). African cheetahs are often caught letamine-zolezepam (Zo- Animal Estimated HT Tail Weight in cage-traps (Marker 2003) but injuries letil) or a zoletil-medeto- age (years) cm cm kg and deaths have resulted from their use; midine cocktail delivered Cheetah CM1 3-5 182.5 77 29 and cages are cumbersome and difficult intramuscularly by dart Cheetah CM2 3-5 N/A N/A 32 to deploy efficiently in remote field con- gun. We fitted carnivores Leopard LM1 7-10 202 87 57 ditions (Frank et al. 2003). Accordingly, with GPS collars (Vec-
10 Spring 2007 knowledge, this is the first deliberate attempt to capture cheetahs using foot snares, and it proved to be a safe and ef- ficient method. All cats were uninjured by the process and cheetahs were sur- prisingly calm when captured; mostly, they attempted to hide by lying flat on the ground or crawling behind vegeta- tion as we approached on foot (cover photo). The two cheetahs were captured in the same evening at 17:00 and 00.00 respectively in snares approximately 1 km apart, and telemetry indicated they were traveling together the next morn- ing. Both animals were adult males approximately 3-5 years old; it is un- known if Asiatic cheetah males form coalitions as in African populations, but given their age and movements, it is likely the pair comprise a coalition, Fig. 5. Sepideh Kashani with anaesthetized male Persian leopard fitted with GPS collar (Pho- perhaps brothers. We will assess this by to C. Walzer). DNA analyses currently underway. The cheetahs remained together in the loca- Iran, and especially to Mr Delavar Najafi, Frank L., Simpson D. and Woodroffe R. tion of the valley in which they were the Director of Biodiversity, DoE and to Mr 2003. Foot snares; an effective method captured for two weeks before leaving Seyed Hesam Hosenyi, head of the Yazd for capturing African lions. Wildlife So- the area. Their movements and those DoE, and his staff at Bafgh for their con- ciety Bulletin 31, 309–314. of the collared leopard are being moni- siderable support in the field. CACP staff in Farhadinia M, 2004. The Last Stronghold: Tehran, especially Solmaz Pahlavanzadeh, Cheetah in Iran. Cat News 40, 11-14. tored by periodically locating them Afshin Zareii, Shahab Cheraghi and Jam- Hunter L. 2004. Islamic Republic of Iran, from a vehicle and parasail equipped shid Fazel were extremely helpful in as- Jan 1-26, 2004. Report to WCS, Iran for radio-tracking. sisting with all aspects of planning. Thanks DoE and UNDP-GEF. Although, it is early days in this to the many volunteers and students who Hunter L. and Schaller G. 2006. Islamic Re- project, we have demonstrated that it is joined us for fieldwork particularly Hadi public of Iran, May 4-15, 2006. Report to possible to safely capture Asiatic chee- Fahimi, and to wildlife film-maker Mani WCS, Iran DoE and UNDP-GEF. tahs despite their rarity and extremely Mirsadeghi for providing helpful logistical Karami M. 1992. Cheetah distribution in low densities (Schaller & O’Brien support. Funding for the project is provided Khorasan Province, Iran. Cat News 16, 2001). We will resume the capture effort by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoo- 4. logical Society of London and the Felidae Kelly M. J. and Durant S. M. 2000. Viabil- towards the end of 2007 when declin- Conservation Fund. The CACP secretariat is ity of the Serengeti cheetah population. ing temperatures reduce the possibility supported by the UNDP-GEF program; spe- Conservation Biology 14 , 786-797. of stress to animals captured in snares. cial thanks to Mehdi Kamyab of the UNDP Marker L. 2003. Aspects of Cheetah (Aci- Ultimately, we hope to collar a further 6 for his personal interest in and support of the nonyx jubatus) Biology, Ecology and cheetahs as well 6-8 individuals of the cheetah project. Conservation Strategies on Namibian other carnivore species in the region. Farmlands. PhD Thesis. Univ Oxford. This project represents one of the very References Schaller G. B. and O’Brien T. 2001. A pre- few telemetry studies conducted in the Asadi H. 1997. The environmental limita- liminary survey of the Asiatic cheetah country since the Iranian Revolution tions and future of the Asiatic cheetah and its prey in the I. R. of Iran. Report to in Iran. Project Progress Report, IUCN/ WCS, Iran DoE and UNDP-GEF. and is the only major research effort of SSC Cat SG, Tehran. its type currently underway. According- Balme G. A., Slotow R. and Hunter L. T. B. 1 Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern ly, aside from its value in providing the (in press). Feeding habitat selection by Blvd, Bronx NY 10460 USA , corresponding first detailed data on cheetahs in Iran, leopards Panthera pardus in a woodland author.
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