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Mummified 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.
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Scientists have discovered the mummified remains of cheetahs in caves in Saudi Arabia. Some of the remains were over 4,000 years old. The leader of the study calls the discovery "unprecedented." In total, the researchers found seven cheetah mummies, as well as dozens of bones, near the northern city of Arar. They were mummified naturally, not by humans. Exactly how this occurred is unclear. The researchers suspect that the dry conditions and sta…
·Netherlands
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The unprecedented preservation of these animals in arid caverns allows researchers to advance towards possible recovery strategies for the species
·Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Total News Sources38
Leaning Left13Leaning Right4Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution49% Center
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources are Center
49% Center
L 39%
C 49%
12%
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