Iran’s roads: mitigating the most serious threat to the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus venaticus

摘要: Wildlife-vehicle collisions are an important cause of mortality for many species, and the number is expected to grow rapidly as global road network quickly expands over next few decades. also have potential be extremely detrimental small wildlife populations, such critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), with only 43 individuals remaining in wild. We assessed spatial distribution mortalities between 2004 2016 identify roadkill hotspots involving cheetahs Iran using kernel density estimation. A total sixteen fatalities due wildlife-vehicle were recorded, we identified six fragments hotspots. Efforts reduce wildlife-cheetah should targeted densest review options available achieve this, recommend a strategic shift away from ineffective warning signage currently used, instead suggest adopting evidence-based approach focusing on installing crossing structures conjunction fencing These measures will help enhance conservation status cheetah, current high level Iran9s roads could potentially dramatic impacts this subspecies.