Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife Explores Caves in Northern Borders Region
In a groundbreaking initiative, teams from Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife are embarking on a journey to explore various caves in the Northern Borders region as part of the Caves Exploration Program, which kicked off in 2022.
Preserving Ecosystems and Biodiversity
This exploration is part of a larger program aimed at monitoring ecosystems and biodiversity across the Kingdom. The findings from these caves will be added to an international map of biodiversity and natural heritage hotspots, serving as historical ecosystems and natural biological museums.
Significant Historical Environmental Value
Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, highlights the historical environmental value of the discoveries in these caves for Saudi Arabia. He emphasizes that the cave ecosystems act as a historical museum, showcasing the biological diversity that has thrived in the Kingdom over various historical eras.
“The cave ecosystems serve as a historical museum, providing evidence of the biological diversity that has existed in the Kingdom throughout various historical eras.”
– Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, National Center for Wildlife CEO
Positive Impact on Wildlife
The program to explore biodiversity in caves was initiated due to its environmental significance and positive impact on wildlife. The unique ecosystems found in these caves offer a suitable environment for a wide range of organisms, including the discovery of numerous mammal skeletons.
Preserving Endangered Species
The National Center for Wildlife aims to develop a program for the resettlement of the Arabian cheetah in the Kingdom, following the discovery of Arabian cheetah mummies in a cave in the northern part of Saudi Arabia. This discovery, along with findings of rare bats and extinct animal remains, underscores the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems.
Restoring Extinct Species
Researchers at the center are focusing on classifying and determining the ages of these rare finds to facilitate the resettlement of extinct species or their closest genetic relatives. This restoration effort will help in maintaining environmental balance and restoring the role of these extinct creatures.
UNESCO-Recognized Natural Heritage
The cave ecosystem in Saudi Arabia is recognized as one of the rarest and most important in the world, earning the status of natural heritage by UNESCO. With 1,826 caves in the Kingdom, these underground passages and tunnels provide evidence of a historical era marked by prolonged rainy climatic conditions.