Like all cheetahs, the Asiatic cheetah can accelerate faster than almost any other land animal. From a standing start, a cheetah can reach 100 kilometres per hour in about three seconds – faster than a sports car. Their long legs, flexible spine and specially shaped claws give them extraordinary grip and stride length as they chase prey such as gazelles across open ground.
The Asiatic cheetah once lived across a vast range from the Arabian Peninsula to India. Today Iran is its last refuge, and even there it lives only in remote, protected desert reserves. Iranian conservationists have worked with international scientists to monitor the remaining population very carefully, using GPS collars, camera traps and satellite images to track every individual.
The cheetah has become an important symbol of wildlife conservation in Iran. The national football team has even featured its image on their kit. Schools across the country learn about the cheetah, and there are awareness campaigns encouraging people to feel proud of this unique animal and to help protect its habitat. Every cheetah born in Iran is considered wonderful news.