Large carnivore conservation is often a conflictful topic in Europe as the reintegration of these species into the European landscape often challenges long established thoughts, practices and values. However, as scientists and conservationists in Europe we take it for granted that we can provoke, challenge and question authorities and interest groups without risk to our safety and freedom. Unfortunately this is not always the case in other parts of the world. Currently a number of our colleagues and friends in Iran are in jail, some potentially facing the death penalty, charged with using the normal tools of science such as camera traps in a belief that they were used for espinoage. There is an increasing international protest about their treatment, including a recent petition signed by >300 conservationists and scientists.