Understanding debates about Asiatic cheetah conservation through media analysis

Given the global popularity and ubiquity of electronic media coverage wildlife conservation, frame analysis is widely used to help conservation decision-makers understand public opinion, differing goals priorities, arguments in conflict. Nonetheless, has only been on occasion elucidate how different stakeholders management plans. We applied case critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), one world's rarest felids now confined Iranian deserts. Between January 2018 December 2020, 91 interviews from 44 were published Persian-language following development an plan. Media framed conservationists as agreeing alarming situation cheetahs high-level interventions needed for possible recovery yet disagreeing about using integrated (in situ + ex situ) versus single approaches only) between academic NGO interviewees. Interviews presented a balance thematic (year-round) episodic around National International Cheetah Days. also found that current debate was highly skewed toward non-local perspectives while views reserve staffs rarely (n = 2) reflected media. The increasing number controversial topics debates can persuade or policymakers by setting agenda. Disagreement premises, threats confuse managers potentially creates procrastination necessary actions. Higher inclusion staffs, technical cooperation pursuing existing plan are may portend great potential enhance impact debates.