IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Conservation of endangered Persian leopard in Golestan National Park | |
| Full Book | |
Golestan National Park is one of the oldest and most ecologically diverse protected areas of Iran and a mixture of deciduous jungle and dry lands. Golestan is home to a variety of wildlife species such as Brown bear, Persian ibex, wild sheep, wild boar, roe deer, red deer, wild cat and the endangered Persian leopard.Prior to 1979, according to surveys, the global population of Persian leopards was over 800. It is estimated that between 1979 and 1986, the global population reduced to 300 due Iran's revolution and other problems in the region which caused intensive hunting and poisoning of wildlife all across Iran. Based on available records of these 300, nearly 270 have been documented to be in Iran, with 200 of them located in protected areas. Before 1979, the leopard population of Golestan National Park was around 30. There is now an estimated 15-18 leopard in the park, amounting to 10% of the overall leopard population of protected areas in Iran. Golestan National Park is located directly along the path of the main road from Tehran to Mashhad. Vehicles cause numerous wildlife casualties each year. There are no speed limits on the road. A second challenge to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for the leopards to survive is flooding due to deforestation and cultivated land just outside Golestan's boundaries. Due to clear cutting outside of the Park boundaries, extensive flooding has taken place in the park, with any heavy rains now causing floods. Now, due to flooding, authorities are further clear cutting, expanding the road and building large dikes near the roads, as opposed to building bridges which would not distracts the habitats and also would not cause wildlife casualties. With Goleastan National Park being one of the most critical areas of Iran for survival of the Persian leopard, the Persian Leopard Society is committed to addressing threats through working with local authorities and empowering local communities surrounding the Park to create a monitoring network to protect this critical species. To reach this ultimate goal, the Persian leopard Conservation Society has set a few key activities. |
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