Pirouz, the last surviving Asiatic cheetah born in captivity, has died in Iran, bringing more sadness to conservationists who have been fighting to save the endangered species from extinction. The cub was just a year old and had been living in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge, in the northeast of Iran, where it was born.
Pirouz’s death marks a significant loss for the conservation efforts aimed at saving the critically endangered Asiatic cheetahs, with only a handful of the species estimated to exist in the wild. Experts believe that the animal’s genetic makeup was unique and held great potential for the remaining cheetah’s future.
The cub’s death was announced by the head of Iran’s environmental protection agency, Issa Kalantari, who said that Pirouz had contracted a virus and died despite the efforts of veterinarians to save him. The cub’s death has sparked sadness and disappointment among conservationists, who have been working tirelessly to protect the species from extinction.
Asiatic cheetahs, also known as Iranian cheetahs, are one of the world’s rarest big cats and have been listed as critically endangered since 1996. Conservationists estimate that only 50–100 of the species remain in Iran, where they are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and road accidents.
The death of Pirouz has raised concerns about the future of the Asiatic cheetah and the effectiveness of conservation efforts to save the species. Iran has made significant efforts to protect the animal, but the cheetahs’ survival still remains uncertain.
Conservationists have called for more action to be taken to protect the species, including measures to preserve their habitat and the establishment of protected areas where the cheetahs can thrive. The Asiatic cheetah is a symbol of Iran’s natural heritage and has great cultural significance, with many Iranians regarding the animal as a national treasure.
The loss of Pirouz is a reminder of the fragility of the world’s endangered species and the importance of conservation efforts to protect them. Despite the sadness of the cub’s passing, conservationists remain committed to protecting the Asiatic cheetah and hope that their efforts will prevent the species from disappearing forever.