The Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is a critically endangered subspecies of the cheetah found today only in Iran, with some occasional sightings in Balochistan, Pakistan. It lives mainly in Iran’s vast central desert in fragmented pieces of remaining suitable habitat. Although once common, the animal was driven to extinction in other parts of Southwest Asia from Arabia to India including Afghanistan. As of 2013, only 20 cheetahs were identified in Iran but some areas remained to be surveyed; the total population may be 50 to 100. The Asiatic cheetah separated from its African relative between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago. Along with the Eurasian lynx and the Persian leopard, it is one of three remaining species of large cats in Iran today.
