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Sanei, A.; Mousavi, M.; Rabiee, K.; Khosravi, M.S.; Julaee, L.; Gudarzi, F.; Jaafari, B.; Chalani, M.
Distribution, characteristics and conservation of the jungle cat in Iran
2016  Cat News Special Issue (10): 51-55

The jungle cat _Felis chaus_ is among the least known felids worldwide. A national survey was conducted to assess and document the status and distribution of this species in Iran. A total of 280 jungle cat presence records have been collected, including road kills, injured animals, hunted and trapped specimens and observations and reports made by experts. Observations reported by local communities living inside or close to jungle cat habitats and by inexperienced people were also recorded. We then classified the data into three categories (i.e. C1: confirmed presence, C2: probable presence, C3: unconfirmed presence) on the basis of confirmability of records. Findings indicated that the jungle cat is distributed at least in 23 out of the 31 provinces of Iran. A total of 69 records came from protected areas, i.e. National Parks NPs, Wildlife Reserves WRs and Protected Areas PAs, covering an area of 38,343 kmý, which is 23.5% of the total area of all protected areas under the auspices of the Department of Environment DoE of Iran. The species was found at altitudes ranging from 45 m to 4,178 m and in a variety of habitat types from plains and agriculture lands to the mountains. However, it was mostly recorded in shrub lands and woodlands. We suppose that the diet of jungle cat in Iran mainly consists of fish, birds (waterfowl, poultry and galliform birds) and rodents. More detailed studies and status assessment of the species on a local scale, particularly in the areas affected by land use changes and severe dry condition are essential. Several conservation measures are recommended to improve the status of the species in Iran.

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