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Ghoddousi, A.; Ashayeri, D.; Moshiri, H.; Ghadirian, T.; Hamidi, A.H.K.; Qashqaei, A.; Hamzeh'pour, M.; Zohrabi, H.; Julayi, L.; Khorozyan, I.
Persian leopard project - Annual report 2007-2008
2008  Full Book

The Persian leopard is among the largest leopards subspecies which is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "Endangered". Total population size of this subspecies does not exceed 1300 individuals; most of the cats are found in Iran (550-850 animals). However, over the past 25 years in many areas of its vast range the leopard was exterminated and in the others its numbers were significantly reduced. The drastic decline of population size has been a result of poaching, prey reduction and habitat loss. During the period of September 2007 to September 2008, wildlife biologists of _Plan for the Land Society_ with support of provincial offices of Department of Environment of Fars, Golestan and Eastern Azarbaijan have implemented the "Persian leopard project" with the aim of research and conservation of this elusive species. Bamu National Park in Fars Province is the first area which is one of the well-known leopard habitats of Iran. Occupying the area of over 480 sq km, it comprises three parallel mountain ridges and the hilly plains between them. We prioritize the use of camera photo-traps to estimate the size, structure and long-term viability of the leopard population in Bamu National Park and carried out it since September 2007 until March 2008. After 87 days of field survey and the sampling effort of over 1012 trap-nights, 6 adult individuals and a cub were identified by their unique coat patterns. Population size in Bamu National Park was scientifically estimated by CAPTURE software as 6ñ0.24 individuals. This is the first study of this type in Iran and is among the few camera-trap studies on leopard worldwide. The density of leopard in Bamu National Park is 1.87 individuals/100 sq km which is a relatively high density comparing to other studies. Studies of prey relative abundance have shown that the Indian crested procupine and the wild boar are the most common and catchable items. Territorial marking behaviour was investigated and 48 scrapes with average size of 39 x 22 cm were measured. The public-awareness campaigns and children educational programmes were started in summer 2008 and continue now. During the first year, the Persian leopard project has tried to do its best to better introduce this magnificent species and Iran's qunique nature to people by inviting international scientists and conservationists, gaining awards and funds, and publishing scientific and popular literature. We propose to continue the scientific research and conservation actions with the support of different organizations in the future. Our activities will be expanded over the new areas (Golestan National Park and Kiamaky Wildlife Refuge) during the next years of the project.

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