How Cheetah Mummies Could Help Bring the Species Back to Arabia

Researchers exploring cave networks in northern Saudi Arabia have discovered (1) dozens of ancient cheetah remains, including skeletons and preserved mummies, in a region where these big cats have been absent for decades. Genetic analysis of the remains shows that these ancient cheetahs were related not only to the Asiatic cheetah, but also to the population from northwestern Africa. These cheetahs likely lived in the area thousands of years ago, before human expansion and environmental changes pushed them out of the region. 

It is important to note that these findings are especially rare because soft tissue from some of the animals was preserved naturally, allowing scientists to extract higher-quality genetic material that couldn’t be possible from bones alone. By studying this DNA, scientists better understand the needs of cheetah populations and what kinds existed. Furthermore, it will provide more insight into how they were connected to other continents, such as Africa and Asia. 

The genetic information opens up many new possibilities for conservationists who seek to reintroduce cheetahs to the Arabian Peninsula, where they disappeared in the previous century due to habitat loss, hunting, and other pressures. By understanding the broader genetic links between these ancient great cats and existing populations, researchers will be able to better inform which modern groups could serve as candidates for future rewilding efforts. 

(1) www.sciencenews.org/article/cheetah-mummies-dna-reintroduce-species

This article was adapted from Science News’ How cheetah mummies could help bring the species back to Arabia by Jake Buehler.

Buehler, Jake. “How cheetah mummies could help bring the species back to Arabia.” Science News, 15 Jan. 2026, www.sciencenews.org/article/cheetah-mummies-dna-reintroduce-species.