Mummies of ancient cheetahs found in Saudi Arabia caves
Scientists have discovered the mummified remains of cheetahs in caves in northern Saudi Arabia.
The finding sheds light on previously unknown populations of these predators that once inhabited the Arabian Peninsula. The findings are published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.
Archaeologists and zoologists unearthed seven cheetah mummies and the bones of another 54 individuals in a cave complex near the city of Arar. The finds range in age from about 130 years old to more than 1,800 years old. Such well-preserved remains of large mammals are extremely rare, researchers said.
The mummies have clouded eyes, dried tissue and shriveled limbs, resembling desiccated shells. Scientists note that the mummification process probably occurred naturally due to the dry climate of the caves and stable temperatures that slowed the decomposition of the bodies.
It remains unclear why there were so many cheetahs in one place. One hypothesis suggests that the caves could have been used as a den where females gave birth and raised cubs. Importantly, the bodies of the animals escaped being eaten by scavengers - another rare condition for such high preservation.
The researchers emphasise that such findings are virtually unparalleled. Previously, scientists have been able to find mummified remains of other felines, such as a sabre-toothed cat cub in Russia, but such cases are rare for large carnivores.
For the first time for naturally mummified big cats, experts were able to extract and analyse DNA. Genetic analyses showed that ancient cheetahs from Saudi Arabia were closest to modern populations in Asia and north-west Africa.
These findings could prove important for future programmes to reintroduce cheetahs to regions where they have gone extinct. Cheetahs once inhabited much of Africa and Asia, but today occupy only about 9% of their historic range. They have not been recorded in the Arabian Peninsula for decades, likely due to habitat loss, hunting and declining prey.
According to the authors of the paper, the find not only adds to the knowledge of the species' history, but may also help to develop strategies for cheetah reintroduction in Saudi Arabia.