Persian leopards were widely distributed in the Middle East in the not too distant past, said Arezoo Sanei, Executive Director at the Asian Leopard Specialist Society.
At present, Iran is host to most of the species, but it is thought that due to transboundary movement, they are moving out of their habitats and into neighboring countries. Habitat loss, reduction of natural prey (mainly wild sheep and goats) and excessive hunting of leopards are major factors leading to the species’ decline in the recent years.
Seventy leopards died between 2007 -2011, 71% due to excessive hunting and 18% in road accidents.
