The PeLeWG has more than 40 members, including the Steering Committee (SC) comprised of 15 members. Two Co-Chairs are also SC members. Each range country is represented by one or two SC members. All SC members and Co-Chairs are elected for three years by the number of votes, and no more than for two consecutive terms, extendable after a break term. The exception is when there is no other representative from a country whose SC member has already passed two terms.

The SC evaluates the performance of its members by the end of each term against the specified tasks.

If you wish to become a member of the PeLeWG, you are welcome to Get Involved.  

Members of the PeLeWG Steering Committee for 2023-2026

Co-Chairs

Dr. Igor Khorozyan, Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, ARMENIA

Dr. Mohammad Farhadinia, University of Oxford and University of Kent, UK

Steering Committee

Dr. Anna Yachmennikova, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RUSSIA

Dr. Deniz Mengüllüoğlu, wildlife biologist, TÜRKIYE

Hana Raza, Leopards Beyond Borders, Kurdistan Region, IRAQ

Konul Ahmadova, WWF, AZERBAIJAN

Maria Gritsina, Institute of Zoology, UZBEKISTAN

Dr. Muhammad Kabir, University of Haripur, PAKISTAN

Niloufar Raeesi Chahartaghi, Sustainability and Conservation Advocate, IRAN

Dr. Özgün Emre Can, Ankara University, TÜRKIYE

Shirin Karryeva, Center for Large Landscape Conservation and Conservation X Labs, TURKMENISTAN

Dr. Tatjana Rosen, Conservation X Labs, TURKMENISTAN

Vladimir Terentiev, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Center, KAZAKHSTAN

Dr. Yury Yarovenko, Precaspian Institute of Biological Resources, Daghestan, RUSSIA

Dr. Zalmai Moheb, University of Massachusetts Amherst, AFGHANISTAN

Other Members

Dr. Alexander Sliwa, Cologne Zoo, GERMANY

Dr. Alim Pkhitikov, A.K. Tembotov Institute of Ecology of Mountain Territories, RUSSIA

Dr. Arash Ghoddousi, Wageningen University, THE NETHERLANDS

Atie Taktehrani, Iranian Cheetah Society, IRAN

Aurel Heidelberg, WWF, GERMANY

Bahez Ali, Leopards Beyond Borders, Kurdistan Region, IRAQ

Begench Mammedov, Mountaineering Club "Mert", TURKMENISTAN

Bejan Lortkipanidze, NACRES, GEORGIA

Elshad Askerov, WWF, AZERBAIJAN

Farid Salmanpour, Shahid Beheshti University, IRAN

Dr. Iman Memarian, Dr. Memarian Veterinary Clinic, IRAN

Prof. John Linnell, Norwegian Inland University of Applied Sciences, NORWAY

Dr. Jose A. Hernandez-Blanco, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RUSSIA

José Dias Ferreira, The Royal Commission of AlUla, SAUDI ARABIA

Dr. Karen Manvelyan, WWF Armenia, ARMENIA

Kaveh Hobeali, Future4Leopards Foundation, IRAN

Madina Slanova, North Ossetian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, RUSSIA

Dr. Mahmood Soofi, University of Kent, UK

Maka Bitsadze, formerly from WWF Caucasus Programme Office, GEORGIA

Marianne Hartmann, Zooberatung/Wildcat Project, SWITZERLAND

Dr. Mark Pestov, Dront Ecological Center, RUSSIA

Mirza Hussain Rezayee, Wildlife Conservation Society, AFGHANISTAN

Muhibullah Fazli, National Environmental Protection Agency, AFGHANISTAN

Natalia Dronova, Nature and People Foundation, RUSSIA

Nima Badelu, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IRAN

Noorullah Ahmadzai, Wildlife Conservation Society, AFGHANISTAN

Dr. Pavel Weinberg, North Ossetian State Nature Reserve, RUSSIA

Peter Gerngross, Silvestris e.U., AUSTRIA

Pooriya Sepahvand, Tarbiat Modares University, IRAN

Sharif Uddin Baloch, Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department, PAKISTAN

Soran Ahmed, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, IRAQ

Tabea Lanz, formerly from IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group, SWITZERLAND

Prof. Tobias Kuemmerle, Humboldt University of Berlin, GERMANY

Dr. Urs Breitenmoser, IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group, SWITZERLAND

Vasil Ananyan, WWF Armenia, ARMENIA

Vazha Kochiashvili, WWF Caucasus Programme Office, GEORGIA

Prof. Viatcheslav Rozhnov, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RUSSIA