Kooshki, an Asiatic cheetah...enclosure at the Pardisan Zoo in Tehran

Kooshki, an Asiatic cheetah captured by a poacher as a cub and rescued by the Department of Environment, walks in his enclosure at the Pardisan Zoo in Tehran June 18, 2008. Iranian and Western wildlife experts are working together to save rare cheetahs from extinction in this arid, mountainous region, despite a nuclear row between their governments.

Ali Akbar Karimi, Head of the Department of Enviroment office in Bafgh, scans the terrain for cheetahs in the Kuh-e Bafgh Wildlife preserve outside Yazd, 677km (420 miles) south of Tehran, May 20, 2008. Iranian and Western wildlife experts are working together to save rare cheetahs from extinction in this arid, mountainous region, despite a nuclear row between their governments.

Kooshki, an Asiatic cheetah captured by a poacher as a cub and rescued by the Department of Enviroment, walks in his enclosure at the Pardisan Zoo in Tehran June 18, 2008. Iranian and Western wildlife experts are working together to save rare cheetahs from extinction in this arid, mountainous region, despite a nuclear row between their governments.