The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has announced a major breakthrough in its Cheetah Conservation Program: the birth of four cheetah cubs, which coincides with the launch of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, which marks a significant milestone for the initiative spearheaded by Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and NCW Board Chairman Eng. Abdulrahman AlFadley last year.
In a press release issued today, NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban said: “The official launch of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, and the announcement of the birth of four cheetah cubs, signifies an important achievement in our conservation efforts. This strategy reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for wild cheetahs in their natural habitats in the Kingdom.”
Qurban added that the birth of these cubs is especially momentous given the cheetah’s absence from the Arabian Peninsula for over four decades.
“Our recent discovery of ancient cheetah mummies in northern Saudi Arabia un
derscores the region’s historical role as a prime cheetah habitat,” he said.
Qurban emphasized that this discovery will fuel the determination to reestablish cheetah populations, “guided by an integrated strategy designed in accordance with best international practices”.
According to the release, “the strategy sets ambitious goals for reintroduction through successful captive breeding, strategic site selection, and community engagement in wildlife conservation”. Rigorous monitoring after the reintroduction aims to ensure the cheetah population’s sustainability.
Structured across multiple phases, the strategy’s first phase focuses on breeding, habitat conservation, and environmental assessment. Subsequent phases involve experimental releases of captive-bred cheetahs and widespread reintroduction, with population monitoring.
Given the global challenge of cheetah conservation – with only 15% of wild-born cheetahs successfully breeding in captivity, and just 20% of those continuing to produce offspring –
Saudi Arabia’s achievement in having four cheetah cubs born and launching the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to biodiversity preservation, including the protection of endangered species and the ambitious goal of reintroducing previously extinct ones.
Through the National Cheetah Conservation Program cheetah mummies were discovered in a cave in northern Saudia Arabia. These mummies, as old as 4,000 to 120 years, highlight their historical presence and biodiversity role.
Genetic analysis further supports Saudi efforts in cheetah breeding and reintroduction, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
Source: Saudi Press Agency