Saudi Arabia launches cheetah reintroduction programme

Saudi Arabia is celebrating a major conservation achievement with the birth of four cheetah cubs at the National Centre for Wildlife (NCW). The event coincided with the launch of the National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, an ambitious plan to return these animals to their historic habitat in Saudi Arabia. This is reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Mohammed Ali Qurban, the CEO of the National Wildlife Centre, stressed that the birth of the cubs and the launch of the new strategy are important steps towards securing a sustainable future for cheetahs in the Kingdom.

The National Cheetah Conservation Strategy, developed in line with international best practices, provides a comprehensive action plan, including:

• Captive breeding: creating the conditions for cheetahs to successfully breed in nurseries.

• Strategic site selection: selecting suitable sites for releasing cheetahs into the wild.

• Community involvement: encouraging active participation of local people in cheetah conservation.

The birth of cubs is particularly significant given that cheetahs have been absent from the Arabian Peninsula for over 40 years. The recent discovery of ancient cheetah mummies in northern Saudi Arabia confirms that the region was once an important habitat for these animals.

Photo: iStock