Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has announced a significant achievement in wildlife conservation with the birth of four cheetah cubs, coinciding with the launch of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy.
This milestone marks a crucial step in the efforts led by Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the NCW Board.
Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, stated in a press release: "The birth of these cheetah cubs, alongside the official rollout of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, represents a pivotal achievement in our conservation endeavors."
He emphasized the strategy’s aim to secure a sustainable future for wild cheetahs within their natural habitats in Saudi Arabia.
This development is particularly significant as it marks the return of cheetahs to the Arabian Peninsula after an absence of over four decades.
Dr. Qurban also highlighted the recent discovery of ancient cheetah mummies in northern Saudi Arabia, which underscores the region’s historical significance as a habitat for cheetahs.
The comprehensive strategy is designed in line with international best practices and aims for the reintroduction of cheetahs through successful captive breeding, strategic site selection, and engaging local communities in conservation efforts. It includes rigorous monitoring to ensure the sustainability of the reintroduced cheetah populations.
The phased strategy begins with breeding, habitat conservation, and environmental assessment, followed by experimental releases of captive-bred cheetahs and broader reintroduction efforts. This approach addresses the global challenges of cheetah conservation, where only a small fraction of wild-born cheetahs successfully breed in captivity.
The discovery of cheetah mummies dating from 4,000 to 120 years ago, along with ongoing genetic analysis, supports the NCW’s efforts in breeding and reintroduction, highlighting Saudi Arabia's commitment to biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
