The sixth-largest country in Asia, Iran is home to vast forests, deserts and salt lakes. The Lut Desert is one of the hottest recorded spots on the Earth's surface, with 70.7 degrees Celsius recorded in 2005. More than 8,200 plant species grow on this land, which is covered by natural flora four times that of Europe. There are over 200 protected areas to preserve biodiversity and wildlife, with national parks accounting for more than 30. One of the most famous animals in Iran is the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus). Check out some other wildlife that thrive in Iran.
A young Asiatic cheetah in the snow in Iran. /CFP
The Persian fallow deer (Dama mesopotamica)
The Persian fallow deer is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. After a captive breeding program, the population has rebounded from only a handful in the 1960s to over a thousand individuals today.
A Persian fallow deer. /CFP
The goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa)
This graceful gazelle is found in the deserts and plains of Iran. The specific name refers to the male having an enlargement of the neck and throat during the mating season. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Goitered gazelles. /CFP
The Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana)
This majestic big cat, known for its beautiful spotted coat, is native to the Iranian Plateau and the surrounding regions at elevations between 600 and 3,800 meters. The Persian leopard population is threatened by habitat fragmentation due to land use changes, poaching and loss of wild prey species. It has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
A Persian leopard. /CFP
The Urial (Ovis vignei)
This wild sheep, which boasts impressive horns, is found in the mountains of Iran. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The urial is native to montane areas in the Pamir Mountains, the Hindu Kush, and the Himalayas, up to an elevation of 4,500 meters.
A urial. /CFP
The Lilium ledebourii
The Lilium ledebourii is a rare Asian plant species in the lily family. It was named for German-Estonian botanist Carl Friedrich von Ledebour. Commonly known as the "Persian Lily," it is one of the most valuable lily species in the world and is endemic to Iran. Its appearance is considered a striking feature at the time of blooming.
A Lilium ledebourii. /CFP
BRICS' wildlife wonders
The BRICS nations span vast and diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Within these ecosystems lies a treasure trove of wildlife, much of which is unique to these regions. Join us on a journey to explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the BRICS countries.
For more:
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: China
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Russia
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Brazil
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: India
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Republic of South Africa
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Saudi Arabia
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: United Arab Emirates
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Egypt
(Cover designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan)