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Habitat and Behaviour The Asiatic Black Bear favours dense
woodland and thicket in hill and mountain country. Very little is
known about it in the region, but it is said to be nocturnal and to
readily climb trees to reach the variety of fruits that make up a large
part of its diet. It also takes animal foods.
Distribution and Status The Asiatic Black Bear is restricted to far
south-eastern Iran within the province of Baluchestan (eastern Makran
Range), where it is considered seriously endangered.
Conservation Areas Possibly in the Gându (Bâhukalât) PA (Iran).
INTRODUCED CARNIVORES
RACOON Procyon lotor
Identification The Racoon is larger than a domestic cat, with quite
long, greyish fur, and a bushy tail that is about a third of the animal’s
total length and is ringed with black bands. The face is sharply pointed,
with distinctive black and white markings, and prominent erect ears.
Size Shoulder height 22–30 cm.
Weight 2 –12 k g.
Distribution and Status The Racoon is native to North and Central
America and was introduced to Europe to be farmed for its fur.
Animals escaped and populations have established themselves.
Racoons from fur farms in the former USSR (Russia) became
established in the Caucasus and gradually spread southwards. They
were discovered in the Iranian province of Gilan, on the south-west
of the Caspian Sea, in 2002, and may have arrived in the area at least
ten years earlier. An animal of forest and woodland, the Racoon can be
expected to spread widely in northern and western Iran.
RACOON DOG Nyctereutes procyonoides
Identification The Racoon Dog sports a long coat, especially in
winter; this ranges in colour from grey and yellowish to reddish. The
legs, feet and chest are dark. The tail is only about a third of the
animal’s total length and is covered with thick hair. The species looks
especially dumpy in autumn and winter, when it carries fat reserves.
Its legs are short, and it has a distinctive black facial mask, small,
rounded ears and a pointed muzzle.
Size Shoulder height 20 cm.
Weight 4 –10 k g.
Distribution and Status This wild dog from the Far East was
introduced to fur farms in Europe, from which animals escaped. It is
now well established and its range is spreading. It has not yet been
recorded in the region, but it is spreading down the western shore of