Second endangered cheetah cub dies in Iran: state media

State media reported Wednesday that the second of three Asiatic cheetahs born in captivity in Iran has died.

The cause of death of the animal is being investigated and the result will be announced after the post mortem, according to an environment department official.

The announcement came two weeks after the first death from the litter.

The cause of death was a congenital malformation of the left lung.

The department said that the first birth of an Asiatic cheetah in captivity was by caesarean section on May 1.

The world's fastest land animal, capable of speeds of up to 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour, once prowled habitats from the eastern borders of India to the Atlantic coast of Senegal.

They are still found in parts of southern Africa, but not in North Africa or Asia.

The Acinonyx jubatus venaticus is critically threatened according to the International Union for Conservancy of Nature.

Iran is the last country in the world where the Asiatic cheetah can be found. The protection programme was launched in 2001.

The deputy environment minister said in January that only a dozen people were left in the wild.

Their situation is extremely critical, Akbari said, adding that animals had been lost in accidents.

There will be a new year in 2022.

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