The Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) once roamed throughout the Middle East and central India. Today there remain only an estimated 20 free-ranging individuals in central Iran and 5 in captivity. International economic sanctions against Iran have had devastating effects on its cheetah conservation and management (see go.nature.com/3suohzb; in Farsi). To help overcome these effects, we suggest that Iran work with the Indian government, which is conducting a rewilding programme for cheetahs.
Competing Interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Source: Ecology - nature.com