The Lion and the Gazelle: The Mammals and Birds of Iran [first edition]

Iran is a country rich in wildlife and, under the Shah, was one of the first in the world to develop a conservation programme. A natural crossroads over which migrations of men, animals and even plants have flowed from time immemorial, the country also has two completely different climatic zones enabling an extraordinary variety of species to flourish. Surprisingly however, the details are poorly documented in the West - this book is the first to explore the major species of mammals and birds, both as they are now and as they have evolved through time.Dr Esmail Kahrom and Patrick Humphreys have drawn on Iran's magnificent cultural heritage: its paintings, ceramics, buildings and textiles which portray scenes of the chase, pastoral and nomadic life, war and religion, and yield a wealth of ecological information. The book also gives details of all the major species which currently inhabit Iran - distribution, population, habitat - together with photographs, maps and line drawings, many of which are published for the first time.Combining biology with history and mythology, it is a glorious celebration of Iran's natural and cultural heritage, and an invaluable guide for wildlife enthusiasts and travellers.