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Baby Mammoth Discovered in Siberia is Best-Preserved Ever Found

 

An illustration of an adult male woolly mammoth  Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1473267/life-cycle-of-alaskan-wooly-mammoth-documented-in-new-analysis-of-his-tusk#ixzz8vRLbL6m3 Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Russian scientists have unveiled the remarkably well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth, found in the permafrost-covered region of Yakutia, Siberia. This 50,000-year-old female mammoth, nicknamed Yana after the river basin where it was discovered, is now considered the best-preserved mammoth carcass ever found. It is one of only seven complete mammoth remains ever discovered worldwide.

Yana’s carcass, weighing 180 kilograms (397 pounds) and measuring 120 centimeters (4 feet) in height and 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) in length, is estimated to have died at around one year old, though studies will be conducted to confirm her exact age at death. The discovery was made near the Batagaika research station, a site previously known for yielding other prehistoric remains, including a horse, bison, and lemming.

The remarkable preservation of the mammoth is due to Siberia’s permafrost, which acts like a giant freezer, preserving the remains of ancient creatures for thousands of years. The well-preserved carcass will allow scientists to study the mammoth's physical characteristics, health, and environment in unprecedented detail. Experts believe that this discovery offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the life and death of these ancient animals, offering new insights into their biology, behavior, and the conditions of their ecosystems.

Before this discovery, only six other mammoth carcasses had been found—five in Russia and one in Canada. The find in Yakutia represents a significant addition to the scientific community's knowledge of mammoth biology and the prehistoric environment in which they lived.

The remains of Yana are being displayed at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, where scientists expressed surprise at the exceptional preservation of the mammoth. Anatoly Nikolayev, the rector of the university, stated that the discovery was beyond their expectations, and researcher Maksim Cheprasov called it a “unique discovery.” This discovery contributes to the ongoing research into extinct wildlife and how environmental factors such as permafrost can preserve the remains of ancient creatures.

Yakutia, a remote region bordering the Arctic Ocean, is known for its permafrost, which acts as a time capsule for the remains of prehistoric animals, offering scientists a rare glimpse into the distant past. The Yana mammoth adds to the growing body of evidence about the world of the mammoths and other extinct creatures that roamed Siberia during the Ice Age. This discovery may lead to more findings in the future as scientists continue to explore the permafrost and study the preserved remains of these ancient animals.

The Yana mammoth remains are set to become a key focal point in the study of mammoths, offering unparalleled insights into the biology and environment of these creatures that once dominated the Earth. This discovery is not only a triumph for Russian scientists but for the broader scientific community, offering a window into the distant past and shedding light on the lives of these extinct giants.

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