Ancient Cheetah Mummies Found in Saudi Cave, DNA Links to Modern Species

• Researchers discovered mummified cheetah remains, some 1,800 years old, in a desert cave near Arar, Saudi Arabia.
• A total of seven mummies and 54 other cheetah bones were excavated, with ages ranging from 130 to over 1,800 years.
• The unique cave environment naturally preserved the remains, a rare occurrence for large mammals.
• Scientists successfully extracted DNA, revealing a close genetic link between these ancient cheetahs and modern Asian and Northwest African cheetahs.
• This discovery could aid future reintroduction efforts for cheetahs in the Arabian Peninsula, where they are now extinct.

Why It Matters: Ancient cheetah mummies in Saudi Arabia provide crucial DNA evidence linking them to modern species.