Save the Last Asiatic Cheetahs from Extinction!

Conservationists believe that fewer than 40 Asiatic cheetahs remain alive in Iran today, and that only two females continue to live in the wild. These majestic animals formerly roamed vast territories from the Middle East to India; the small surviving population now lives only in Iran.

Habitat loss, poaching, and excessive hunting of cheetahs' prey have put this species on the brink of extinction. In the past 15 years, 21 cheetahs were killed by farmers, 15 died in car accidents, and five were killed by hunters.

The Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) is calling upon the government to take action to protect these critically endangered animals. The ICS is requesting a ban on the construction of new roads and mines near the cheetahs' habitat, the construction of fences around existing roads, and increased participation of indigenous people in conservation efforts. Support from the United Nations would be of tremendous value to ensure that Iran has the resources needed for wildlife protection.

As a worldwide community, we must demand protections for this critically endangered species. Two other big cats, the Caspian tiger and Persian lion, have already become extinct in Iran, and the Caspian tiger is now extinct worldwide. What a tragedy it would be to lose another incredible species as a result of human ignorance and infringement upon the environment.

Cheetahs need your help NOW – please sign and share this petition asking President Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian Department of the Environment, and the United Nations to take immediate and comprehensive action to protect the Asiatic cheetah.