First Report of Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus turanicus Infestation in Persian Leopard (Panthera Pardus Saxicolor), Golestan National Park, Iran

A carcass of a Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) that was inadvertently killed in a car accident in Golestan National Park, NorthIran, was referred to the laboratory of the Department of Environment in Golestan Province. The carcass was infested with hard ticks. Five ticks were collected and identified as Ixodes ricinus (one female) and Rhipicephalus turanicus (four males).  These hard ticks are major vectors of some important microorganisms of veterinary and medical significance. This is the first detection of I. ricinus and R. turanicus in the Persian leopard.