According to the most recent IUCN Red List assessment, the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) is a globally endangered big cat present in nine countries (Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq/Kurdistan, Pakistan, Russia, Türkiye and Turkmenistan), occasionally occurring in Georgia and Kazakhstan, possibly present in Uzbekistan, and extinct in Tajikistan, Syria and Lebanon. The total population size is estimated to be between 750-1044 individuals. Iran hosts the largest population (528-732 individuals), followed by Turkmenistan (60-80 individuals). The Persian leopard occurs in a variety of habitats but prefers mountain ranges covered with forests, woodlands, and scrublands, with an essential presence of rocky outcrops and precipitous slopes. Wild ungulates make most of its prey (80-95%), including the urial (Ovis vignei), bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) and other species. Wherever wild prey is scarce, or opportunities arise, leopards may kill smaller species and domestic animals.

The main threats to survival of Persian leopards throughout their range are the following:

• Illegal hunting in response to leopard attacks on domestic animals, especially livestock, or for trophies
• Prey depletion because of illegal hunting, overgrazing and habitat loss
• Habitat loss and fragmentation causing the disruption of population connectivity