An Asian cheetah in Iran has given birth to cubs, marking a historic milestone for the species in captivity within the country. The birth occurred under the oversight of the Iranian Cheetah Society. The mother, named Iran, welcomed her litter via cesarean section, and the newborns were subsequently placed in intensive care for close monitoring and support.
The cubs were born at the Asian Cheetah Breeding Center located in the Turan Biosphere Reserve near Tehran, according to a May 1 press release from the Iranian Ministry of Environment. The announcement highlighted the center’s ongoing work to bolster a critically endangered population through controlled, science-driven breeding programs.
Behrang Ekrami, a veterinarian at the Asian Cheetah Breeding Center, later reported that one of the cubs died a few days after birth due to malformations in the left lung. An earlier report had indicated all cubs were female, but subsequent checks confirmed they were males. This sudden loss underscores the challenges faced in early-life survival for cheetah cubs in captivity.
Hasan Akbarí, Vice President of Natural Environment and Biodiversity at the Environmental Organization, commented that it remains uncertain whether the mother will fully accept all the cubs. If acceptance proves difficult, human caregivers may need to provide feeding while minimizing direct interaction to support the cubs’ bonding with their mother.
— A note accompanying a photo in the accompanying materials described a female researcher with a cheetah cub, reflecting ongoing field and captive-care efforts to study and protect this subspecies. —
Researchers previously rescued the mother cheetah after she was found in a home in Iran when she was eight months old in December 2017. Jamshid Parchizadeh, a graduate research fellow at the Global Wildlife Conservation Center, noted concerns that wildlife smugglers may target the species for illegal pet trade. This context highlights the importance of protective measures and disciplined breeding programs.
Following the rescue, caretakers gradually introduced the cheetah to Firouz, a male cheetah from Asia, in 2021 to facilitate controlled breeding. Firouz had been captured in Turan National Park to participate in captive mating, a strategy intended to support the recovery of the species by establishing a sustainable captive population that can contribute to future reintroduction and genetic diversity efforts.
Fewer than 20 Asian cheetahs remain in Iran
In Iran, as in many regions, the Asian cheetah is one of the few wild cheetah populations left. Recent years have seen fewer than 20 individuals observed across the country. The decline is attributed to habitat loss, prolonged drought, poaching, and vehicle strikes, all of which have dramatically reduced the wild population and fragmented their range.
Given the species’ critically endangered status, this captive breeding project is viewed as a vital component of broader conservation strategies. Expert voices, including researchers like Parchizadeh, emphasize that carefully managed offspring could bolster the overall Asian cheetah numbers and provide a foundation for future conservation actions.
Experts believe these newborns could contribute to increasing the regional population, offering renewed hope for the species. The collective effort combines veterinary science, genetics, and careful husbandry to maximize the chances of successful births and healthy cub development in captivity.
The new generation of cheetahs is described as being very similar to their African cousins in key traits. They share impressive speeds—reaching up to 128 kilometers per hour—though the Asian cheetah is typically paler in color with thicker fur, a distinction noted by researchers like Parchizadeh. Historical records indicate much larger ranges that once stretched from Arabia to India, including Afghanistan, but the current population is estimated at roughly 70 to 100 individuals, with most living in Iran. The conservation community continues to monitor and support this fragile subspecies through targeted breeding programs and habitat protection efforts.
For ongoing updates and inquiries related to the conservation of the Asian cheetah, interested readers are encouraged to follow official channels and peer-reviewed reports from recognized wildlife organizations and government environmental agencies.