IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Mousavi, M.; Moqanaki, E.M.; Farhadinia, M.S.; Adibi, M.A.; Rabiee, K.; Khosravi, S. | |
| The largest lesser cat in Iran - current status of the Eurasian lynx | |
| 2016 Cat News Special Issue (10): 33-37 | |
The study reviews the status of the Eurasian lynx _Lynx lynx_ in Iran with regard to its geographic range, prey species, reproductive biology, human-lynx conflicts, causes of mortality, and conservation measures, based on information from May 2011 to 2016. Based on a thorough literature review, personal interviews, and national questionnaire surveys, we conclude that the lynx is widely, but patchy distributed in North, North-West and West Iran. Iranian lynx feed on a variety of prey, including hare _Lepus_ spp., wild sheep _Ovis orientalis_, wild goat _Capra aegagrus_ and rarely livestock. Although lynx-human conflicts were considered negligible, poaching accounted for 29.2% of the known lynx mortality, followed by herdsmen and shepherd dogs, road accidents and other factors. Habitat degradation, traditional livestock husbandry, and prey depletion were recognised as the most significant threats to lynx in Iran. Conservation measures recommended are (1) evaluation of the conservation status of protected areas with lynx occurrence, (2) survey of lynx population status, research and conservation planning and (3) public awareness and engagement of local people. |
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