The Persian Panther Project aims to understand the lifestyles and threats of Persian panthers inside and outside protected areas. The project also has a strong educational component and works extensively with local people to ultimately improve attitudes towards large predators. One area that has been little explored is the Hormozgan Province in southeastern Iran. The region has been affected by a long drought which has increased conflicts between the population and large predators. A tour of the villages shows that people are willing to leave the animals alone if they can effectively help prevent the loss of their livestock to predators. One solution is to install electrically protected fences around the cattle corrals.
The donated money will be used to undertake a first test of this. This is also the first time this method is being tested in Iran. Besides these protective devices, the local authorities will also be trained to mediate in conflicts between the population and the animals.
