Collaborations produce impressive research output
I am thrilled to announce that, thanks to my collaborations with amazing scholars and practitioners throughout my career, I have been able to co-author 7 research papers in the first 4 months of 2023 alone. These collaborations have ranged from working with dedicated graduate students on their research theses, to collaborating with rangers and other […]
Why educating next generations of conservationists needs reform?
I interviewed Payam-Ma newspaper to share my experiences of working in academia, governmental and private sectors for the past two decades and how we can reform the education system for the next generation of conservationists in Iran اگر اروپاییها جای ایران بودند از کارهایشان فیلم میساختند (sharghdaily.com)
Can we save cheetahs on roads?
On 26 March 2023, Iran lost an Asiatic #cheetah pregnant with 3 in a tragic car collision. Fewer than 30 cheetahs exist Outrageous reactions filled media why gov did not take mitigations to stop cheetah road collisions Totally right, but let’s see what is the problem? It is not a normal road, but a […]
Mineral lick use by large herbivores
Our recent paper published in the journal Ecology and Evolution in January 2023 addressed the use of natural mineral licks by deer species in northern Iran. They are ecologically valuable resources to meet the physiological needs of herbivores, particularly in temperate forests. Importantly, licking sites can harbor high anthropogenic risk for conservation-dependent herbivores through higher […]
What do we know about trophy hunting in Asia?
Across Asia, established trophy hunting programmes exist in at least 11 countries and target at least 30 species and one hybrid. Trophy hunting in these countries varies markedly in areas, offtakes and species. National legislation typically mandates a proportion of trophy hunting revenue to accrue locally. The continuing debates about trophy hunting should be […]
“Operation Leopard” aired in Iran
Since 2013, when I started my intensive field work on Persian leopards in north-eastern Iran, I was accompanied by a crew from the Wildlife Pictures Institute, an award winning wildlife documentary production company in Iran to create a new series, called “Operation Leopard”. In 13 episodes, the series provides a first-hand and original outlook […]
Joining “Conservation Biology”
I am thrilled to join the journal Conservation Biology as handling editor from January 2023. Since 2020, I have been also helping the journal Frontiers in Animal Conservation as associate editor.
Joining Future for Nature Award’s Int’l Selection Committee
I am honoured to join the Future for Nature Award’s International Selection Committee from 2023. The International Selection Committee consists of internationally renowned nature conservationists. The Committee selects candidates for the Future for Nature Award and proposes winners to the Board.
Most Asian countries are unlikely to meet biodiversity targets
Ahead of COP15, researchers make key recommendations for policy makers to support Asian countries to meet 2030 biodiversity targets. Protected areas are one of the most effective tools for safeguarding biodiversity, but new research published today has found that most Asian countries failed to achieve a global minimum target of protecting at least 17% of […]
Obituary for Derek Scott
Derek Scott, a British ornithologist passed away on 21 November 2022. He was born in England in 1944 and educated at Bradford Grammar School and Oxford University. After completing his Ph.D. on the breeding biology of the Storm Petrel at the Edward Grey Institute in Oxford in 1970, he worked for six years at the […]