US EditionMummified Cheetahs Found in Saudi Caves Shed Light on Lost Populations
- On Thursday, scientists uncovered mummified cheetah remains in northern Saudi Arabia, excavating seven mummies and bones of 54 other cheetahs from caves near the city of Arar.
- Natural mummification likely preserved the cheetahs by preventing decay and keeping carcasses safe from scavengers, while researchers say the site could have been a denning site where mothers raised young.
- Researchers dated the remains, which show cloudy eyes and shriveled limbs, and range from 130 years to over 1,800 years old.
- Genetic analysis shows similarities to modern cheetahs from Asia and northwest Africa, and researchers say this DNA could aid conservation and reintroduction efforts as cheetahs now occupy just 9% of their former range and haven't been spotted across the Arabian Peninsula for decades.
- Experts note the rarity of this assemblage, unusual for naturally mummified big cats, as mummification can also occur in glacier ice, desert sands and bog sludge beyond Egypt's mummies.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Associated Press News
Mummified cheetahs found in Saudi caves shed light on lost populations
Scientists have uncovered mummified remains of cheetahs from caves in northern Saudi Arabia. The seven mummies range from 130 to over 1,800 years old.
Mummified Cheetahs Discovered in Saudi Arabia Show How the Country Could Bring The Cats Back
Between 2022 and 2023, scientists in Saudi Arabia began a survey of over 1,000 caves, hoping to find preserved remains of ancient animals to infer modern rewilding strategies. Whatever modest results they might have allowed themselves to hope for, they almost certainly would not have expected to find 7 naturally mummified cheetah skeletons. They had […] The post Mummified Cheetahs Discovered in Saudi Arabia Show How the Country Could Bring The C…
Ancient Mummified Cheetahs Found in Saudi Caves Rewrite the Species’ History — and Its Future
Learn how seven naturally preserved cheetahs discovered in northern Saudi Arabia reveal that the Arabian Peninsula once hosted multiple cheetah lineages, raising new possibilities for reintroducing the endangered cats.
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