IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Ghadirian, T.; Akbari, H.; Besmeli, M.; Ghoddousi, A.; Hamidi, A.K.; Dehkordi, M.E. | |
| Sand cat in Iran - present status, distribution and conservation challenges | |
| 2016 Cat News (64): 56-59 | |
For studying the distribution, ecology and threats of the smallest felid species in Iran, the sand cat_ Felis margarita_, we gathered all published and unpublished data from across the country and categorised them into hard fact C1 and anecdotal data C2. Based on 46 presence points (C1 = 26 and C2 = 20) from 6 out of 31 provinces, sand cat distribution in Iran is limited to the desert habitats in the centre, east and south-east of the country. Sand dunes with Saxaul trees are the main habitats for sand cat in Iran, as well as arid flat plains with little plant distribution. Potential prey species are desert rodents, reptiles, hare and probably some bird species. Killing by shepherd dogs and trapping by locals in houbara bustard snares are the major threats to survival of this elusive cat in Iran. Desert safaris and road accident may become a potential threat to the existence of sand cats in fragile desert habitats. For better conservation actions, more fine-scale distribution studies especially in eastern and south-eastern parts of the country, diet, estimate of home range size and density of sand cats in Iran are required. |
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