RIYADH: Three times more large mammal species once roamed Saudi Arabia than previously thought, according to a new study.

The research, conducted in Thuwal, identifies 15 large mammal species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula over the last 10,000 years.

It was published on May 12 in the Journal of Biogeography by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and Taibah University.

The findings have potential implications for rewilding efforts in the Kingdom, KAUST said in a statement.

Among the identified species, the majority hail from Africa, including notable predators like lions and cheetahs.

The study also highlights two new species previously unrecognized in the region: the greater kudu and the Somali wild ass.

Currently, the Arabian Peninsula has successfully reintroduced the Arabian oryx and has plans to reintroduce the cheetah.

However, the other 13 species will require careful evaluation to determine their potential for reintroduction.

“Restoration efforts extend beyond vegetation; animals are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems,” emphasized Christopher Clarke, senior project manager at KAUST and a key contributor to the study.

“By identifying the large mammals that have gone extinct, we provide crucial data for governments to consider which species could be reintroduced in the future.”

To reach their findings, Clarke and his colleague, Sultan M. Al-Sharif, an associate professor at Taibah University, meticulously analyzed thousands of petroglyphs — ancient rock carvings — gathered from scientific expeditions, published resources, and even social media, where amateur archaeologists have shared their discoveries.

This approach enabled the researchers to access a wealth of petroglyphs previously unknown to the scientific community.

“Our research reveals that the Arabian Peninsula was far more diverse in large mammals than previously imagined,” said Al-Sharif.