Cheetahs in fight for survival

DEPICTIONS of lions and cheetahs appear in centuries-old Persian carpets; the ‘Chelsea Carpet’ in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is a fine example.

Known as Iran since the fall of the Shah, Persia is famous for its carpets and its cats.

The government there blames economic sanctions imposed by the West for shortcomings in protecting its wildlife. The regime has agreed to curb uranium enrichment in the hope that sanctions will be lifted. If they are, it will be welcome news for Iranian big cats.