Mummified Cheetahs Discovered in Saudi Arabia's Lauga Caves
A team of researchers has made a remarkable discovery in Saudi Arabia's Lauga cave network. They've found mummified remains of seven cheetahs, along with skeletons of 54 more individuals, dating back nearly 5,000 years. This is the first time big cat species have been found in a state of natural mummification.
The mummies, preserved for around 2,000 years, and the skeletal remains offer valuable insights into the past distribution of cheetahs. The team suggests these remains could provide clues for future cheetah rewilding in the Arabian Peninsula. The cheetahs found are related to both the northwest African cheetah and the Asiatic cheetah.
The creatures, including orange crocs and eyeless beasties, may have entered the caves through slippery or steep slopes and couldn't get out. Modern cheetahs are not known to use caves for shelter or storage of prey. The oldest cheetah remains are approximately 4,223 years old, with the youngest being 127 years old.
The discovery of these cheetah remains in Saudi Arabia sheds light on the historical range of these big cats. The team's findings, published on Research Square but yet to undergo peer review, could inform future conservation efforts in the region.
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