Modeling Habitat Suitability of Persian Leopard (Pantera pardus saxicolor) in Khoshyeilagh Wildlife refuge using ENFA method

Persian leopard (Pantera pardus saxicolor) is one of 37 species of cats in the world, which lives individual in most natural habitats of the country, and has a specific territory for itself. Awareness of the biological needs of species has a fundamental role in the conservation of species. To identify places merely exploited as wildlife habitat leads us to recognize optimal animal’s microhabitat parameters. Khoshyeilagh Wildlife Refuge is one of the best and most secure habitat for Persian Leopard in Shahroud city located at the north of Semnan province. The present study aimed to determine the habitat suitability of the Persian leopard with ENFA method in this area has fall 2013. The main variables considered here are the prey distribution, land cover, proximity to residential areas, transportation line, slope elevation and water resources. The results show that, in general, nearly 20% of the total wildlife refuges is a desirable habitat for the Leopard. The most important factor affecting the presence or absence of leopards in this area is under the influence of its prey, especially the wild goat and wild sheep. The most favorable habitat for leopard in this region is at high altitudes between 1700 to 2000 meters above sea level and 30 to 60 percent slopes, In fact, the center of Khoshyeilagh Wildlife refuge is the most desirable and secure place for the presence of this species due to the presence of high and rocky mountains, as well as the high concentration of prey presence.