According to KhabarOnline, Baqer Nazemi, the national project manager for the protection of the Asiatic cheetah and its associated habitats, discussed the latest status of Helia, the female cheetah from Miyandasht, and her cubs in an interview with Mehr. He stated that this matter is sensitive and requires careful communication. Helia has experienced her third birthing, having had two cubs in each of her first two births. It is highly likely that this latest birthing occurred in June 2025 in the Miyandasht region, and based on the apparent condition and size of the cubs, they are now approximately one year old. The last sighting of Helia and her cubs was in Miyandasht.

He added that these five cubs have been in excellent health over the past year in the Miyandasht region of North Khorasan and have been regularly observed. The most recent sighting was recorded on May 5 of this year in the southern part of Miyandasht, within the boundaries of the Yozkanam conservation area. Nazemi continued, stating that as the cubs enter their second year of life, the natural behavior of the cheetahs changes. During this period, the mother cheetah moves the cubs to various locations to teach them about pathways, habitats, and survival skills, which may lead them to venture outside their initial range.

National project manager for the protection of the Asiatic cheetah highlighted the conditions of the region, noting that Yozkanam is not officially managed by the Department of Environment, and that community groups and private hunting associations are voluntarily conducting conservation activities in this area, which spans over 400,000 hectares. He mentioned that despite the high ecological value of the area, it faces numerous conflicts such as the presence of livestock, camels, hunters, roads, mining, and agricultural activities. It is still uncertain whether the two cubs have died.

Regarding the potential loss of Helia’s two cubs, Nazemi remarked that cheetahs are secretive animals with complex behaviors, and it is not possible to definitively state that the two cubs are lost. In the last sighting, three cubs were seen with Helia, and one of the cubs had blood on its chest, indicating that they had recently made a kill and were resting after feeding. It is possible that the other two cubs are hidden elsewhere or remain near the carcass of the prey. If future observations show Helia with only three cubs, then it can be reasonably concluded that the two cubs are missing.

The main challenge for cheetahs: mortality after birth. The national project manager for the protection of the Asiatic cheetah emphasized that while there have been successes in cheetah breeding, there are serious challenges in their care and preventing mortality. He stated that the most significant issue for cheetahs is the frequent movement between habitats. These movements expose cheetahs in free areas to threats such as livestock dogs, roads, hunters, and various human conflicts, highlighting the necessity for collaboration among different agencies to save the cheetah.

Nazemi pointed out the role of other agencies in the protection of cheetahs, stating that protecting cheetahs is an inter-agency issue, and the Department of Environment cannot resolve all problems alone. Issues such as road safety, collaboration with natural resources, pastoral affairs, and managing mining activities require the involvement of other agencies. He added that in previous years, road fatalities have been a significant factor in the decline of cheetah populations, and to mitigate this threat, multiple meetings have been held with the Ministry of Roads, and directives have been issued to complete fencing along hazardous routes.

Collaboration with local communities and participatory conservation. The national project manager for the protection of the Asiatic cheetah noted that in 2025 and 2026, the capacity of local partners and communities will be utilized for protection in all cheetah habitats, and participatory conservation in Yozkanam will play a crucial role in monitoring and caring for this habitat. While the cheetah has shown success in reproduction, our main issue remains preventing mortality and preserving the cubs that are born.

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