Exceptionally Preserved Woolly Rhino Found in Siberia
Last summer, Siberian gold miners in Sakha stumbled upon a mummified woolly rhinoceros carcass, remarkably preserved by the region's unique permafrost, providing a valuable glimpse into prehistoric life.
Striking Discovery in the Heart of the Cold Hell
In the notoriously frigid region of Siberia, a sensational discovery has been made. In the district of Oymyakon, one of the most inhospitable places on Earth, a perfectly preserved woolly rhinoceros carcass has been uncovered. The images of the carcass have sparked the curiosity of the scientific community, prompting experts to quickly mobilize.
A Scientific Rarity
A team from the North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) in Yakutsk hurried to the site to retrieve the animal’s horn, a remarkable find since the soft tissues were intact. “It’s extremely rare,” noted Maxim Cheprasov, head of the NEFU’s Mammoth Museum lab. Indeed, this marks only the fifth instance in history where soft tissues of this species have been found, providing invaluable information about this prehistoric creature.
New fossil of woolly rhinoceros found in excellent condition! https://t.co/useXIqKva2
— Pedro Henrique Tunes (@PedroHTunes) August 5, 2024
The Woolly Rhinoceros: A Vanished Giant
The woolly rhinoceros thrived on Earth during the Pleistocene, from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. They appeared about 300,000 years ago, spreading across the vast expanses of northern Eurasia. However, by the end of the last ice age, their habitat gradually diminished until their extinction around 10,000 years ago, victims of climate change and expanding human activity.
A Treasure Trove of Information for Science
This exceptional find will allow NEFU researchers to thoroughly study this extinct species. The biological age, sex, and living conditions of the specimen can be determined thanks to its preservation quality. Moreover, thanks to the permafrost acting as a time capsule, the animal’s DNA might offer unprecedented insights into the biology, ecology, and evolution of the woolly rhinoceros.
This discovery is part of NEFU’s broader initiative to explore the megafauna of Siberia. Recently, a 44,000-year-old wolf mummy was also extracted from the permafrost, enhancing our understanding of past biodiversity.