Strategic Management of Asiatic Cheetah in Iran

Strategic planning and management is a widespread decision-making tool in a variety of nature protection projects across the world and various approaches have been developed. Accordingly, the present research applied SWOT analysis to evaluate one-decade of comprehensive conservation efforts in Iran which is one of the first strategic planning for a wildlife protection plan in the country. We aimed to evaluate efficacy of past actions in regard to cheetah conservation objectives and to illustrate future perceptiveness for conservation prioritization of the Asiatic cheetahs in Iran. Opinions from 27 related experts and managers were taken into account in order to understand internal and external factors affecting the program. Thus, a proper approach was concluded, according to availability of strengths and opportunities to promote cheetah conservation in the country. A total of five strategies were extracted as 1) improving and protecting network of cheetah reserves, 2) local community-based capacity development programs, 3) enhancing law enforcement parallel to establishing captive breeding program, 4) monitoring cheetahs and their prey species, and 5) fostering administrative support for cheetah conservation at national and international level. The strategies were discussed and proper activities were recommended.