Latest news with #ChristopherClarke
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
More large mammals once roamed Saudi Arabia than previously thought
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.
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hockey coaches set to level up high school team
KINGSWAY High School's commitment to bringing out the best from their hockey stars is on full display in the school's highly qualified and dedicated coaches. Christopher Clarke and Anthony Haiden join forces and split duties to bring excellence to the school's hockey teams. Also read: Amanzimtoti athletes tackle Netronix Woodview Challenge With no shortage of passion, Clarke coaches the girls U16 and boys first team in both indoor and outdoor hockey. He boasts Level 1 Coach Umpire certifications and offers a solid foundation of expertise to his players. He is a proud South African masters player and brings a wealth of experience and insight to the teams, with his love for the game making him a key figure in the hockey community. Haiden leads the girls first team and boys U16 outdoor and indoor hockey teams, whilst balancing being coach of the athletics team as well. The Level 1 hockey coach and umpire offers extensive expertise, having under his belt a tenure coaching the KZN Ladies Mynahs in 2022, and experience as an umpire at major events including the USSA 2023, DPL 3.0 and 4.0, KZN U16 IPTs and PSI U11 and U12 tournaments in 2023 and last year. He has been the Durban South Schools Girls Hockey District Co-ordinator since 2022, showing his commitment to fostering growth and teamwork in young athletes. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
