1st Manual on Iran’s Wildlife Diseases

The first manual on diseases of Iran’s wildlife was unveiled during a ceremony in Tehran early this week.

The book is a pictorial guide in simple Persian, which introduces common infectious, metabolic and parasitic diseases among Iran’s wildlife species. It is aimed at a wide range of readers from the laymen to veterinarians, ecologists and park rangers.

According to Iman Memarian, the book’s author, general knowledge about animal illnesses plays a key role in wildlife conservation so it was essential to publish a book for a broader readership, Zistonline news website reported.

“Lack of fundamental knowledge about common wildlife diseases and unawareness about clinical care of sick and injured animals compelled us to compile an easy-to-understand book for the common readers,” he said.

Contents of the book include introduction of various species and their common diseases, causes of illnesses among each species, ways of prevention and correct methods of sampling from infected animals.

The idea of the book originated with Houman Jokar, the head of the Asiatic Cheetah Conservation Project in Iran, and dates back to when he was cooperating with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“The society published a book on Afghanistan’s wildlife in 2014. Once I entered DOE, the idea of publishing a similar book was put forward and Iman Memarian, who is an experienced vet, took charge of the task,” Jokar said.