Discovery of Mummified Cheetahs in Saudi Arabia

A notable discovery in northern Saudi Arabia has revealed seven naturally mummified cheetahs and 54 skeletal remains preserved in desert caves, some dating back over 4,000 years.

Researchers analysed mummified cheetahs using radiocarbon dating, CT scans, and full genomic sequencing to reconstruct historical population genetics and distributions, uncovering a surprising story about the region’s lost cheetahs.

The study reveals that ancient cheetahs in Saudi Arabia belonged to two subspecies – the West African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) and the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus).

Principal component analysis and phylogenetic trees distinguished older Saudi samples clustering with the West African cheetah, while the youngest mummy aligns with the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah.

Caves acted as natural time capsules, preserving soft tissue and DNA in an arid climate. High preservation of soft tissues and bones enabled detailed 3D reconstructions, confirming natural mummification processes.

This discovery of mummified cheetahs is significant because these big cats have vanished from 91% of their historic range, including Saudi Arabia, a landscape that remains predominantly arid desert, with biodiversity challenged by historical desertification.

These findings establish a lost baseline for cheetah genetic diversity erased by climate shifts and human activity, aiding evidence-based reintroduction strategies in the region.

Genomic surveillance from such ancient records helps assess sourcing for future populations and restoration programs. The research underscores ancient DNA’s role in overcoming erased historical faunal data for modern conservation.

This becomes relevant because the country has initiated major greening projects as part of the “Saudi Vision 2030”, aiming to plant 10 billion trees across 74.8 million hectares by 2030.

The Green Riyadh Program aims to raise the per capita share of green space in the city and increase the percentage of total green spaces by intensifying afforestation in all elements of the city. The program aims to plant more than 7.5 million trees throughout the capital by 2030.

These discoveries of mummified cheetahs in Saudi Arabia will guide future rewilding efforts, helping conservationists identify the most appropriate subspecies to restore to Arabian landscapes.

With prey species already recovering and protected areas expanding, this research bridges ancient biodiversity and modern conservation, showing how the past can directly inform the future of wildlife recovery.

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