Recent camera trapping efforts in northeastern Iran indicate
that the Asiatic cheetahs have bred in the area. Accordingly, an
adult female cheetah has been photo trapped while coming to a
waterhole in Miandasht Wildlife Refuge, a reserve which has been
monitored by the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) since 2003.
Despite deployment of high-tech digital camera traps at all
known water sources of this arid area since early summer;
however, the cheetah who must have cubs was taken only once at
these water sources, revealing its magnificent adaptability to
survive in arid areas of Iran. The animal’s prominent nipples
indicate the she has cubs, at least two according to the ICS
experts. During past decade, only a few cheetah families have
been identified in Miandasht, no more than 2 cubs per litter.
However, this image indicates that this area is a reliable
source for the cheetah in northeastern Iran, not far from its
former range in Turkmenistan. Except the critically endangered
Asiatic cheetah, six other carnivores