Shocked scientists discover mummified cheetahs in Saudi caves in scene out of horror movie

NEW YORK — Scientists have uncovered the mummified remains of cheetahs from caves in northern Saudi Arabia.

The remains range from 130 years old to over 1,800 years old.

Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.

Scientists have uncovered the mummified remains of cheetahs from caves in northern Saudi Arabia. AP

Mummification prevents decay by preserving dead bodies. Egypt’s mummies are the most well-known, but the process can also happen naturally in places like glacier ice, desert sands and bog sludge.

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The new large cat mummies have cloudy eyes and shriveled limbs, resembling dried-out husks.

“It’s something that I’ve never seen before,” said Joan Madurell-Malapeira