A Persian leopard cub was discovered late last week during a police raid on the smugglers' hideout in Ramhormoz County in Khuzestan Province.
The 3-month-old female cub, which was supposed to be illegally sold to a customer from one of the Persian Gulf Arab countries, has been evidently kept in an inconvenient condition, for there are scars and scratches on her face, Mehr News Agency quoted the head of the provincial office of the Department of Environment as saying.
Further elaborating on the smuggling case, Mohsen Marhamati noted that "environmental and police forces disguised as real customers offered more money and set an appointment with the offenders."
Besieging the offenders' hiding place, the forces captured them after making sure of the cub's existence and health conditions, Marhamati added.
The cub is still stressed and aggressive which indicates that it has not been a long time since she has been taken from the wilderness, the official said, adding that after the undergoing preliminary tests by veterinarians, she has been transferred to the clinic in Tehran's Pardisan Park.
"The smugglers have also been referred to the judicial authorities for further legal procedures and in order to divulge more details about the case, such as the exact place they captured the cub, other possible cubs, more offenders involved in the crime and more."
Persian leopard is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The rare animals are among the most threatened in the world, with Iran among their last remaining habitats.
Studies have shown that 71% of all Persian leopard fatalities in Iran are attributed to illegal hunting or poisoning by shepherds who try to protect their livestock.
Efforts to protect the Persian leopard will not only help the species, but other wildlife as well, making the leopard a so-called umbrella species.
