United for Conservation: DOE and Football Federation Team Up to Save Asiatic Cheetahs

In a significant effort to bolster wildlife conservation, particularly for the endangered Asiatic cheetah, the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Football Federation have entered into a pivotal memorandum of understanding. This collaboration, aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and protection, underscores the importance of integrating sports into conservation initiatives.

On Wednesday, Shina Ansari, the head of the DOE, convened a meeting with Mehdi Taj, the president of the Football Federation, along with vice president Mehdi Mohammad-Nabi and national football team head coach Amir Qalenoei. During this meeting, they formalized their agreement to create an environmental and sustainable development committee within the Football Federation.

This committee will leverage the influence and reach of athletes to promote wildlife conservation and foster a culture of animal protection among fans and the broader community.

Conservation Efforts for Asiatic Cheetahs

In January, Hamid Zohrabi, a prominent official at the DOE, announced new initiatives aimed at enhancing the protection of Asiatic cheetahs within the country. He highlighted several critical measures being implemented, including:

• Relocating domestic animals from the natural habitats of cheetahs.
• Fencing the Tehran-Mashhad road, identified as a high-risk area for cheetah mortality.
• Engaging in captive breeding programs to support population recovery.

These initiatives are primarily focused on removing threats to cheetahs and ensuring their habitats are safeguarded. According to Zohrabi, significant progress has been made, with domestic animals being removed from approximately 150,000 hectares, including Golestan National Park and adjacent wildlife sanctuaries.

The DOE has also allocated a substantial budget of two trillion rials (approximately 2.9 million dollars) to implement safety measures along the Tehran-Mashhad road. These enhancements include:

• Improved road lighting.
• Measures to reduce vehicle speeds.
• Fencing to prevent cheetah-vehicle collisions.

Additionally, innovative technologies such as drones and wildlife monitoring tools are being considered to further support cheetah conservation efforts in the region. Despite these initiatives, Zohrabi emphasized that more actions are necessary to achieve sustainable outcomes.

“We strive to protect the habitats of cheetahs, but to effectively boost their population, ongoing captive breeding efforts are crucial,” Zohrabi stated, underlining the collaboration with the private sector to standardize breeding sites.

In November 2024, he noted that the expansion of cheetah territories and the protection of their habitats had positively influenced their population growth.

Community Involvement in Conservation

Zohrabi stressed the indispensable role of public participation in the conservation of Asiatic cheetahs. He reported that over 400,000 hectares of land between Turan National Park in Semnan Province and Miandasht Wildlife Refuge in North Khorasan Province are under the protection of private entities.

Efforts to enhance the prey population are underway through collaborative initiatives between the DOE and local communities.

In October 2024, Zohrabi revealed plans to establish a dedicated committee focused on the preservation of critically endangered species, including cheetahs, black bears, and great bustards. He remarked:

“The Department of Environment is committed to protecting endangered species by forming conservation committees that involve non-governmental organizations, as well as encouraging cooperation among the public, rangers, experts, and various governmental agencies.”

This multi-faceted approach not only aims to protect the Asiatic cheetahs but also encourages broader environmental stewardship and awareness across communities. The collaboration between the DOE and the Football Federation is a testament to the potential of sports in promoting critical conservation messages and engaging a wider audience in environmental protection efforts.

As these initiatives unfold, the hope is to foster a sustainable future for the Asiatic cheetah and other endangered species, ensuring that future generations can experience the rich biodiversity that Iran has to offer.