RIYADH — The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) will embark on an extensive exploration of caves in the Northern Borders region of Saudi Arabia as part of its ongoing Caves Exploration Program initiated in 2022. Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the NCW, highlighted the program's objectives: achieving international recognition by mapping these caves on the global biodiversity and natural heritage scale, preserving their historical significance as natural museums, and conserving the wildlife within these unique ecosystems. Dr. Qurban described the caves as natural museums that not only display the evolutionary history of biodiversity in the region but also provide insights into the environmental and climatic changes that have occurred on the Arabian Peninsula over millennia. The exploration efforts have already led to significant discoveries, including some of the world's rarest bat species and the remains of extinct animals, shedding light on the rich biological past of the area. The NCW's ongoing work includes cataloging and dating these finds, emphasizing the caves' role in supporting a diverse range of life forms. Researchers have unearthed numerous skeletons of various mammals, underscoring the ecological importance of these habitats. Recognized by UNESCO as a vital part of natural heritage, these cave systems are among the world's rarest and most crucial ecosystems. Saudi Arabia is home to 1,826 caves, formed by natural processes in limestone areas under historically rainy climatic conditions, making them key sites for historical and environmental studies.
