Cheetahs In Saudi Caves: New Evidence Supports Cheetah Reintroduction Planning

The National Center for Wildlife has documented the first naturally mummified cheetahs ever reported in caves within Saudi Arabia, offering rare evidence of the species’ long-term presence. The research also provides direct support for cheetah reintroduction programmes, by linking historical populations in the Kingdom to known global cheetah lineages.

The cheetah remains were found during a wide field survey of 134 caves in northern Saudi Arabia. Researchers recorded seven naturally mummified cheetahs and 54 skeletal specimens from different historical eras. These findings show that cheetahs roamed the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, including into relatively recent historical periods.

The study appears in Nature Communications Earth and Environment, a peer-reviewed international journal. The publication ranks within the top quarter of journals in its field for research quality and scientific impact. It focuses on research in Earth sciences, environmental studies, and biodiversity, and is widely cited by research institutions worldwide.

According to the National Center for Wildlife, publication in this journal reflects the growing strength of its scientific programmes. The centre notes that such work supports evidence-based conservation policies in Saudi Arabia. It also enhances international collaboration on biodiversity, especially for species that historically ranged across regional and continental borders.

The research team used several laboratory techniques to analyse the cave specimens. Radiocarbon dating determined how old each sample was. Paleogenomic analysis identified genetic lineages and links to wider cheetah populations. Radiographic analysis helped estimate age profiles, confirming whether the animals were juveniles or adults at the time of death.

Results showed that the cheetahs lived during widely separated time periods. The oldest specimen dates to around 4,800 years ago, while the most recent example is approximately 127 years old. These dates confirm that cheetahs survived in the Arabian Peninsula until the late nineteenth century, highlighting a much more recent decline than previously assumed.

mummified cheetahs Saudi Arabia genetics and reintroduction

Genetic testing linked the cave cheetahs to two main lineages. These are the Asiatic cheetah and the Northwest African cheetah. This information gives conservation planners a stronger scientific basis when choosing source populations for cheetah reintroduction programmes in Saudi Arabia and across the wider Arabian Peninsula.

The study further emphasised the special role of caves as long-term natural archives of biodiversity. Stable conditions inside caves protected bone and soft tissue, preserving details rarely seen in open landscapes. These remains allow scientists to reconstruct the cheetah’s evolutionary history in the region and clarify its former geographic range.

The findings come as Saudi Arabia scales up work to restore ecological balance in key habitats. Previous efforts have focused on prey species, including gazelles and Arabian oryx, which have already been reintroduced to several protected areas. The new cheetah research offers a scientific platform for planning the careful return of apex predators.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammad Ali Qurban said that the paper's publication in the journal reflects the scientific maturity of NCW's research programs. He stressed the importance of leveraging genetic and historical evidence to support informed decision-making related to the reintroduction of endangered species. These efforts are expected to guide long-term wildlife recovery in Saudi Arabia.

With inputs from SPA