selected projects
Persian leopard, Bamu National Park, Iran; Photo: PWGF
Review of the conservation status of the leopard in South-west and Central Asia (2021-2022)
I am a member of the steering committee of this initiative led by IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group and the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). I mainly contribute to the preparation of a status assessment report from the leopard range in the Zagros Mountains, covering Iran, Iraq and parts of Turkey. Moreover, I contribute to a chapter on monitoring Persian leopard and its prey species.
Wildlife data collection with a ranger in Touran Biosphere Reserve, Iran
Optimizing monitoring of the endangered Persian leopard and its prey using ranger’s patrolling data (2016-2018)
I was the Project Manager of this pilot project to optimize the collection, the analysis and the use of ranger-collected law enforcement and wildlife monitoring data using the SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) framework in Iran. Moreover, we expanded the application of camera traps for monitoring Asiatic cheetah and Persian leopard in Touran Biosphere Reserve.
Mouflon, Varjin Protected Area, Iran
National ungulate monitoring techniques assessment (2014-2016)
I was the Scientific Director of this project aimed at evaluating population monitoring methods applicable to six ungulate species in Iran. We designed a 'decision tree' based on which protected area managers and conservation agencies could identify the most applicable monitoring method for their study area and species based on parameters such as landscape features, budget, precision and analytical expertise.
Caspian seal; Photo: A. Khaleghi Hamidi
Quantification and elimination of threats to Caspian seal (2008-2009 & 2011-2012)
I was the in-country Project Coordinator managing various activities in reducing the conflict between local fishermen and the Caspian seal and finding alternative methods than lethal control in reducing losses. Moreover, we conducted public awareness campaigns and monitoring of Caspian seal mortalities along the Iranian Caspian Sea coast.
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Participants of the workshop on monitoring mountain ungulates in Tajikistan
Monitoring mountain ungulates in Tajikistan (2021-2022)
I am a member of the delegation from IUCN SSC Caprinae Specialist Group in consulting Tajikistan Committee for Environmental Protection in monitoring mountain ungulates in the country, with a particular focus on establishing a monitoring framework for markhor population.
Persian leopard, Golestan National Park, Iran; Photo: PWHF
Status assessment of endangered Persian leopard in its last stronghold: eastern Alborz Mountains, Iran (2015-2016)
I was the Project Manager in assessing the connectivity of Persian leopard habitat using a combination of top-down remote sensing methods and bottom-up interview surveys with the local communities. Moreover, we assessed the determinants of human-leopard conflict in this landscape. The results of this project is under revision for publication in a scientific journal.
Persian leopard, Golestan National Park, Iran; Photo: PWHF
Conservation of the Persian leopard in Golestan National Park (2011-2012)
I was a project Collaborator, involved in camera trapping and population assessment of Persian leopard in Golestan National Park, the oldest protected area of Iran. Moreover, I assisted in assessment of human-leopard conflict and interview local poachers.
Bamu National Park, Iran; Photo: M. Kazerouni
Persian leopard conservation in Bamu National Park, southern Iran (2008-2010)
I was the co-project manager in the first population estimation of Persian leopards using camera traps in Iran, which resulted in identification of six adult individuals in this national park (far lower than previous guesstimates). We later focused on public awareness, education of local communities on the importance of wildlife conservation, and efforts in better understanding the poachers' illegal behavior incentives.
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Supporting & consulting other conservation initiatives
Lead assessor, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 assessment for Afro-Asiatic wildcat (Felis lybica)
Annapurna Mountain Range from Kang La Pass, Nepal; Photo: B. Clement
Building the capacity of Himalayan communities in Nepal for snow leopard conservation (2019 - present)
Co-assessor, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 assessment for urial (Ovis vignei)
Co-assessor, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 assessment for mouflon (Ovis gmelini)
Persian leopards, Bamu National Park, Iran; Photo: Pras Wildlife Guardians Foundation
Status assessment of Persian leopard in the Fars Province, Iran (2017-present)
Pallas' cat, Kavdeh, Iran; Photo: Earth's Whisper Institute/Pallas's Cat Conservation Project
Status assessment of Pallas’ cat in Alborz Mountains, Iran (2015-2017)
 Afro-Asiatic wildcat, Golestan National Park, Iran; Photo: PWHF
National assessor, wildcat status in Iran (2011)
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Snow leopard, Tajikistan; Photo: T. Rosen
Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) - Population Assessment of the World's Snow Leopards (PAWS) (2020-present)
Zagros Mountains, Iraq; Photo: H. Raza
Rehabilitating the transboundary habitat of the Persian leopard through the creation of a peace park (Iraq and Iran) (2018-2019)
Co-assessor, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 assessment of leopard (Panthera pardus)
Co-assessor, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 assessment for caracal (Caracal caracal)
 Mouflon, Varjin Protected Area, Iran
Population monitoring of the Alborz mouflon in Varjin Protected Area, Iran (2006-2007)
Asiatic cheetah, Bafgh Protected Area, Iran
Camera trapping and radio-collaring of Asiatic cheetah in Naybandan, Touran and Bafgh protected areas, Iran (2005-2008)
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