Saudi Arabia celebrates birth of 4 cheetah cubs as conservation breakthrough

Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) has celebrated a landmark achievement in wildlife conservation with the birth of four cheetah cubs, coinciding with the launch of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy.

The development, led by Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the NCW Board, Abdulrahman AlFadley, marks a crucial step towards reintroducing cheetahs to the Arabian Peninsula after over four decades of absence, reports the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Dr Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, was quoted as saying: “The birth of these cheetah cubs, alongside the official rollout of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, represents a pivotal achievement in our conservation endeavours.” He explained that the strategy’s aim is to secure a sustainable future for wild cheetahs in their natural habitats in Saudi Arabia.

استعادة الفهد الصياد يأتي ضمن عدد من برامج الإكثار وإعادة التوطين التي ينفذها المركز لإثراء التنوع الأحيائي في المملكة وإعادة تأهيل النظم البيئية وتحقيق مستهدفات الاستراتيجية الوطنية للبيئة ومبادرة السعودية الخضراء.#عودة_الفهد#بحياتها_نحيا pic.twitter.com/zZ8mWXGYCO

— المركز الوطني لتنمية الحياة الفطرية (@NCW_center) July 23, 2024

“Our recent discovery of ancient cheetah mummies in northern Saudi Arabia underscores the region’s historical role as a prime cheetah habitat,” he added. The comprehensive strategy aligns with international best practices and includes phases of captive breeding, habitat conservation, and community engagement.

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Qurban mentioned that the global challenge of cheetah conservation is significant, with only a small fraction of wild-born cheetahs successfully breeding in captivity. The NCW’s multi-phase strategy begins with breeding and environmental assessment, followed by experimental releases and broader reintroduction efforts.

ولادة ٤ أشبال للفهد الصياد المنقرض بالجزيرة العربية منذ ٤٠ عاماً، يعكس جهود المركز بالحفاظ على التنوع الأحيائي وحماية تراثنا الطبيعي، بما يجسد الريادة العالمية لجهود المملكة في تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة.#عودة_الفهد#عودة_الصياد pic.twitter.com/8PkNVOfVMO

— المركز الوطني لتنمية الحياة الفطرية (@NCW_center) July 23, 2024

“This discovery will fuel our determination to reestablish cheetah populations, guided by an integrated strategy designed in line with best international practices,” he said.

The strategy includes rigorous monitoring to ensure the sustainability of reintroduced populations, aiming to rewild captive-bred cheetahs in protected areas.

Cheetahs once roamed the Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia, but became extinct in the region over 50 years ago. The last recorded sightings in the kingdom were in the northern and southeastern fringes, with the final confirmed sighting in 1973, with the animal being shot by a hunter.

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