Sustainable strategic planning for the conservation of the Baluchistan black bear (Ursus thibetanus gedrosianus) in the south of Kerman province, Iran

The purpose of this study was to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in the conservation of Baluchistan black bear in the south of Kerman province using the quantitative and qualitative approaches and presenting the sustainable strategic management program for conservation of this species. Using questionnaire, a list of internal and external environmental factors was compile. The relative importance of these factors was weighted and the Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) matrix were drawn and then, the various initial strategies were quantified with the formation of the strategic planning matrix. A total of 11 internal strengths, 4 internal weaknesses, 5 external opportunities and 4 external threats were identified. The final score of the internal factors matrix (IFE = 2.01418) shows that, the weaknesses are more than the strengths and the score of the external factors matrix (EFE = 2.07462) shows that there are more threats than opportunities in solving the conflict problem. The results of the SPACE matrix showed that the defensive strategies should be used for the protection of the Black bear in the south of Kerman province. Implementation of environmental assessment studies for development projects in the Black bear habitats was determined as the first modified solution.