Tasmanian tiger, a marsupial apex predator, went extinct nearly a century ago. Now, scientists are closer than ever to reviving the animal through genome sequencing in a process similar to the fictional revival of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.

The carnivore's genome has been reconstructed with 99.9% accuracy, the&nbsp;latest breakthrough in the years-long 'de-extinction' project.&nbsp;

There are only 45 gaps left to fill in the genome sequencing, which was made possible from a chance discovery of a head of the animal pickled in a jar in Australia some 110 years ago.

Watch: Gravitas: Scientists extract RNA from extinct Tasmanian tiger

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Behind this mammoth task (pardon the pun) is Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based firm that is also in the process of reviving the woolly mammoth and the dodo, a flightless bird that also went extinct over a century ago.

<h2>What happened to tasmanian tiger? An icon of extinction</h2>

The Tasmanian tiger or thylacine roamed the forests of Tasmania in Australia from where it takes its name.

Once a critical link in the ecosystem of Tasmania,&nbsp;they officially went extinct in 1936 after the last animal died at&nbsp;Beaumaris Zoo in Tasmania's Hobart.

Colossal teased that a major update is coming soon on the revival of the animal,&nbsp;whose scientific name is Thylacinus cynocephalus,

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At <a href="https://twitter.com/sxswsydney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sxswsydney</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_Pask?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AJ_Pask</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/Hemsdog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hemsdog</a> sharing an update on our thylacine de-extinction project 🐅 
 
When an apex predator goes extinct, it has a cascading effect on the ecosystem. Prey populations go unchecked, diseases run rampant, plant life suffers—everything is thrown… <a href="https://t.co/ob8tP0A5lN">pic.twitter.com/ob8tP0A5lN</a>
— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) <a href="https://twitter.com/colossal/status/1847044711070003532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-woolly-mammoth-go-extinct-because-of-a-blocked-nose-study-says-they-did-764159">Also read: Did woolly mammoth go extinct because of a blocked nose? Study says they did</a>

<h2>A miracle in the making: How a head pickled in a jar could bring back extinct Tasmanian tiger </h2>

The Tasmanian tiger head recovered from the jar in Australia still had RNA molecules, which is crucial for rebuilding the genome. Using samples from the head, most of the DNA of the animal has been sequenced along with strands of RNA.

It was nothing short of a miracle, according to scientists involved in the project who spoke to media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/in-jurassic-park-style-extinct-dodo-to-be-revived-scientists-say-667977">Also read: In 'Jurassic Park' style, extinct flightless bird dodo to be revived. Scientists say...</a> 
 
“This was the miracle that happened with this specimen. It blew my mind,” said&nbsp;Prof Andrew Pask, the head of the thylacine integrated genetic restoration research or Tigrr lab at the University of Melbourne.

“It was literally a head in a bucket of ethanol in the back of a cupboard that had just been dumped there with all the skin removed, and been sitting there for about 110 years,” The Guardian quoted Pask as saying. “It was pretty putrid, a completely gruesome sight. People had chopped large chunks off it.”&nbsp;

<h2>Genome sequencing: A method of 'de-extinction' of the world's lost species?</h2>

“You absolutely can get a phenomenal genome from old samples,” Pesk told LiveScience.

DNA is the genetic material that is the fundamental building block of life. A genome is a full set of DNA that gives the unique charecteristsic to each organism. Genome contains the chemical information for development, growth and functioning of living beings. 
 
As Pesk puts it, genomes provide 'the full blueprint for de-extincting this species'.

Getting the complete genome sequencing at very high quality is a huge help to the efforts to revive extinct species, he said.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Tasmanian tiger, a marsupial apex predator, went extinct nearly a century ago. Now, scientists are closer than ever to reviving the animal through genome sequencing in a process similar to the fictional revival of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.

Tasmanian tiger, a marsupial apex predator, went extinct nearly a century ago. Now, scientists are closer than ever to reviving the animal through genome sequencing in a process similar to the fictional revival of dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. The carnivore's genome has been reconstructed with 99.9% accuracy, the latest breakthrough in the years-long 'de-extinction' project. There are only 45 gaps left to fill in the genome sequencing, which was made possible from a chance discovery of a head of the animal pickled in a jar in Australia some 110 years ago. Watch: Gravitas: Scientists extract RNA from extinct Tasmanian tiger × Behind this mammoth task (pardon the pun) is Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based firm that is also in the process of reviving the woolly mammoth and the dodo, a flightless bird that also went extinct over a century ago. What happened to tasmanian tiger? An icon of extinction The Tasmanian tiger or thylacine roamed the forests of Tasmania in Australia from where it takes its name. Once a critical link in the ecosystem of Tasmania, they officially went extinct in 1936 after the last animal died at Beaumaris Zoo in Tasmania's Hobart. Colossal teased that a major update is coming soon on the revival of the animal, whose scientific name is Thylacinus cynocephalus, At @sxswsydney with @AJ_Pask, and @Hemsdog sharing an update on our thylacine de-extinction project 🐅 When an apex predator goes extinct, it has a cascading effect on the ecosystem. Prey populations go unchecked, diseases run rampant, plant life suffers—everything is thrown… pic.twitter.com/ob8tP0A5lN — Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) October 17, 2024 × Also read: Did woolly mammoth go extinct because of a blocked nose? Study says they did A miracle in the making: How a head pickled in a jar could bring back extinct Tasmanian tiger The Tasmanian tiger head recovered from the jar in Australia still had RNA molecules, which is crucial for rebuilding the genome. Using samples from the head, most of the DNA of the animal has been sequenced along with strands of RNA. It was nothing short of a miracle, according to scientists involved in the project who spoke to media. Also read: In 'Jurassic Park' style, extinct flightless bird dodo to be revived. Scientists say... “This was the miracle that happened with this specimen. It blew my mind,” said Prof Andrew Pask, the head of the thylacine integrated genetic restoration research or Tigrr lab at the University of Melbourne. “It was literally a head in a bucket of ethanol in the back of a cupboard that had just been dumped there with all the skin removed, and been sitting there for about 110 years,” The Guardian quoted Pask as saying. “It was pretty putrid, a completely gruesome sight. People had chopped large chunks off it.” Genome sequencing: A method of 'de-extinction' of the world's lost species? “You absolutely can get a phenomenal genome from old samples,” Pesk told LiveScience. DNA is the genetic material that is the fundamental building block of life. A genome is a full set of DNA that gives the unique charecteristsic to each organism. Genome contains the chemical information for development, growth and functioning of living beings. As Pesk puts it, genomes provide 'the full blueprint for de-extincting this species'. Getting the complete genome sequencing at very high quality is a huge help to the efforts to revive extinct species, he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Tasmanian tiger that went extinct may come back soon, thanks to a head in a bucket of ethanol

Scientists are working to resurrect the woolly mammoth and it could happen in as less as four years. The ice age beast that went extinct might walk the Earth once again soon, a company backed by Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth, said.

Colossal Biosciences calls itself “the world’s first de-extinction company,” and is developing a method to revive “core” genes from animals that have been extinct for thousands of years. This includes not only the woolly mammoth but also the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, The Independent reported.

“We have set a date of late 2028 for our first mammoth and we are on track for that currently, which is great,” the CEO of the company, Ben Lamm, told the Independent.&nbsp;

Lamm told Daily Mail that the entire process is like a “reverse Jurassic Park”.

According to The Intercept, the company has raised more than $235 million, thanks to its celebrity backers. PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel and motivational speaker Tony Robbins are pumping money into the company, besides the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), according to the report.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/did-woolly-mammoth-go-extinct-because-of-a-blocked-nose-study-says-they-did-764159">Did woolly mammoth go extinct because of a blocked nose? Study says they did</a>

Lamm added that mammoths have a 22-month gestation period, which means another species might return before it does.

“But given the other species have much shorter gestation, it is highly likely that we will see another species before the mammoth.”

His eyes are set on the dodo and the Tasmanian Tiger for an early revival. Notably, the Tasmanian tiger went extinct in the early 1980s, while the dodo bird was last seen in the 1600s. The former can be revived in just weeks, while the dodo will take about one month, according to Lamm.

He believes that "it is highly likely we will have a species before 2028", and it will be one of the three.

The woolly mammoth has not been around for over 4,000 years. However, it shares 99.5 per cent of its genes with the Asian elephant. The company is using gene editing and fusing stem cells with an Asian elephant egg.

According to a statement on the company's site, the resurrected mammoth will be “more specifically a cold-resistant elephant with all of the core biological traits of the woolly mammoth."

“It will walk like a woolly mammoth, look like one, sound like one," he said.

The company claims that the return of the mammoth can help the environment, by reversing global warming. "It could help in reversing the rapid warming of the climate and more pressingly, protect the Arctic’s permafrost," the company says.

Scientists are working to resurrect the woolly mammoth and it could happen in as less as four years. The ice age beast that went extinct might walk the Earth once again soon, a company backed by Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth, said.

Scientists are working to resurrect the woolly mammoth and it could happen in as less as four years. The ice age beast that went extinct might walk the Earth once again soon, a company backed by Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth, said. Colossal Biosciences calls itself “the world’s first de-extinction company,” and is developing a method to revive “core” genes from animals that have been extinct for thousands of years. This includes not only the woolly mammoth but also the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, The Independent reported. “We have set a date of late 2028 for our first mammoth and we are on track for that currently, which is great,” the CEO of the company, Ben Lamm, told the Independent. Lamm told Daily Mail that the entire process is like a “reverse Jurassic Park”. According to The Intercept, the company has raised more than $235 million, thanks to its celebrity backers. PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel and motivational speaker Tony Robbins are pumping money into the company, besides the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), according to the report. Also Read: Did woolly mammoth go extinct because of a blocked nose? Study says they did Lamm added that mammoths have a 22-month gestation period, which means another species might return before it does. “But given the other species have much shorter gestation, it is highly likely that we will see another species before the mammoth.” His eyes are set on the dodo and the Tasmanian Tiger for an early revival. Notably, the Tasmanian tiger went extinct in the early 1980s, while the dodo bird was last seen in the 1600s. The former can be revived in just weeks, while the dodo will take about one month, according to Lamm. He believes that "it is highly likely we will have a species before 2028", and it will be one of the three. The woolly mammoth has not been around for over 4,000 years. However, it shares 99.5 per cent of its genes with the Asian elephant. The company is using gene editing and fusing stem cells with an Asian elephant egg. According to a statement on the company's site, the resurrected mammoth will be “more specifically a cold-resistant elephant with all of the core biological traits of the woolly mammoth." “It will walk like a woolly mammoth, look like one, sound like one," he said. The company claims that the return of the mammoth can help the environment, by reversing global warming. "It could help in reversing the rapid warming of the climate and more pressingly, protect the Arctic’s permafrost," the company says.

Chris Hemsworth-backed company plans to revive woolly mammoth by 2028

Woolly mammoths, before going extinct, likely struggled with allergies, which might have also played a role in their vanishing from Earth. A study conducted by a team of chemists and zoologists suggests that these creatures also had a diminished sense of smell which made mating harder.&nbsp;

Researchers analysed frozen mammoth tissue and found antibodies and allergens in them. This made them conclude that the mammoths faced allergies which affected them in many ways.

The study was published in the journal Earth History and Biodiversity.

“This was the first study where fragments of immunoglobulins were found in remains tens of thousands of years old,” the study’s first author, Gleb Zilberstein, told The Telegraph.

According to several studies, woolly mammoths inhabited North America, Asia, and northern Europe. They went extinct roughly 4,000 years ago but the reasons for this have always been speculative. Climate change and hunting by humans have always been seen as primary reasons for this.&nbsp;

However, the latest discovery suggests that allergies might have been one reason for their extinction.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/woolly-rhino-mummy-found-in-russian-far-east-confirms-a-feature-seen-in-cave-art-759638">Woolly rhino mummy found in Russian Far East confirms a feature seen in cave art</a>

Mammoths are ancient relatives of modern-day elephants who rely on their sense of smell to find food, water and sexual partners. However, the researchers say that pollen-induced nasal congestion might have hampered the woolly mammoths' sense of smell, making it hard for them to continue with their way of living.

“The development of allergies from plant pollen, changes in pollen’s allergic toxicity, pollen’s release period increasing or the emergence of a large quantity of flowering plants during climate change, could lead to decrements in sensitivity to odours in animals during the breeding season," the study says.

Since the animals were unable to find a mate because of nasal blockage hampering their sense of smell, sexual intercourse among the species saw a decline, as per the study.

Traces of antibodies which develop as an immune response to infections were found in the frozen mammoths discovered in Siberia. Organic compounds linked to pollen were also present, indicating the mammoths were likely inhaling pollen-filled air.

The researchers say that this condition was like an ancient hay fever and affected their ability to flourish. New plants species were coming up during the time the mammoths were going extinct, a period of global warming. Pollen released by these plants might have caused respiratory and olfactory issues for the animals.

Woolly mammoths, before going extinct, likely struggled with allergies, which might have also played a role in their vanishing from Earth. A study conducted by a team of chemists and zoologists suggests that these creatures also had a diminished sense of smell which made mating harder.

Woolly mammoths, before going extinct, likely struggled with allergies, which might have also played a role in their vanishing from Earth. A study conducted by a team of chemists and zoologists suggests that these creatures also had a diminished sense of smell which made mating harder. Researchers analysed frozen mammoth tissue and found antibodies and allergens in them. This made them conclude that the mammoths faced allergies which affected them in many ways. The study was published in the journal Earth History and Biodiversity. “This was the first study where fragments of immunoglobulins were found in remains tens of thousands of years old,” the study’s first author, Gleb Zilberstein, told The Telegraph. According to several studies, woolly mammoths inhabited North America, Asia, and northern Europe. They went extinct roughly 4,000 years ago but the reasons for this have always been speculative. Climate change and hunting by humans have always been seen as primary reasons for this. However, the latest discovery suggests that allergies might have been one reason for their extinction. Also Read: Woolly rhino mummy found in Russian Far East confirms a feature seen in cave art Mammoths are ancient relatives of modern-day elephants who rely on their sense of smell to find food, water and sexual partners. However, the researchers say that pollen-induced nasal congestion might have hampered the woolly mammoths' sense of smell, making it hard for them to continue with their way of living. “The development of allergies from plant pollen, changes in pollen’s allergic toxicity, pollen’s release period increasing or the emergence of a large quantity of flowering plants during climate change, could lead to decrements in sensitivity to odours in animals during the breeding season," the study says. Since the animals were unable to find a mate because of nasal blockage hampering their sense of smell, sexual intercourse among the species saw a decline, as per the study. Traces of antibodies which develop as an immune response to infections were found in the frozen mammoths discovered in Siberia. Organic compounds linked to pollen were also present, indicating the mammoths were likely inhaling pollen-filled air. The researchers say that this condition was like an ancient hay fever and affected their ability to flourish. New plants species were coming up during the time the mammoths were going extinct, a period of global warming. Pollen released by these plants might have caused respiratory and olfactory issues for the animals.

Did woolly mammoth go extinct because of a blocked nose? Study says they did

Three woolly rhinoceros mummies have been unearthed from Yakutia, or the Sakha Republic, in northeastern Russia. The discovery was revealed by Gennady Boeskorov and his colleagues in a paper published in the journal Doklady Earth Sciences in July this year.&nbsp;

The three of them are vastly different in age and preservation, with one of them being new to science, the paper says.&nbsp;

Boeskorov is a senior researcher at the Diamond and Precious Metals Geology Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also a professor at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk.&nbsp;

They say that while woolly rhino fossils are abundant, their mummies are exceedingly rare. Only a handful of nearly complete woolly rhinos have been found to date, Ars Technica reported.

Woolly rhinos (Coelodonta antiquitatis) lived in Eurasia during the Pleistocene period when the most recent glacial expansion occurred. They were stocky, long-haired, and had two horns. They lived at the same time as the woolly mammoths and were the second-most largest animals in this ecosystem.&nbsp;

<h2>Two juvenile rhino mummies</h2>

The most well-preserved of the three mummies is of Sasha, the first complete baby woolly rhino ever discovered. It still has its fluffy strawberry-blonde head, a couple of legs, and much of its fluffy torso. While the gender could not be ascertained, researchers say that Sasha was between 12 and 18 months old at the time of its death, based on its teeth and the sutures within its skull.

"We’ve learned a great deal from their bones; we’re learning even more thanks to their mummies. Being able to directly observe their hair and skin, for example, offers more evidence regarding just how well-adapted these animals were to their harsh environment," Boeskorov says.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/global-superbug-crisis-40-million-lives-at-risk-over-next-25-years-warns-study-759317">Global superbug crisis: 40 million lives at risk over next 25 years, warns study</a>

Its frontal horn is worn out, possibly because of “rubbing against its mother’s belly” while nursing, scientists suggested in 2015. This rhino, found in 2014, likely drowned in mud.

The second mummy, discovered in 2020, is missing much of one side of its body, including most of the intestines. The other side still has skin, some hair, and soft tissues. It was discovered in Yakutia’s Abyisky District in 2020 and so was nicknamed the “Abyisky rhinoceros”. It was likely 4 to 4.5 years of age at the time of its death and was also found along the banks of a river.

<h2>Oldest mummy</h2>

The oldest of the three mummies is the Kolyma mummy, which was uncovered in 2007 in a Kolyma gold mine. It was female, the presence of udder and nipples suggests. It likely fell into and was trapped within a confined space. Only one side of her body is preserved. The transverse stripes on her horn, along with teeth, skull, and height, suggest she was about 20 years of age at the time of her death.

What has fascinated scientists the most is the presence of a fatty hump on the back of the Abyisky woolly rhino. He told Ars Technica that it likely &nbsp;served as an "additional reservoir of nutrients.” Since a hump has never been seen before on any of the woolly rhino mummies, Boeskorov thinks it might have only developed closer to winter for fat storage.&nbsp;

Three woolly rhinoceros mummies have been unearthed from Yakutia, or the Sakha Republic, in northeastern Russia. The discovery was revealed by Gennady Boeskorov and his colleagues in a paper published in the journal Doklady Earth Sciences in July this year.

Three woolly rhinoceros mummies have been unearthed from Yakutia, or the Sakha Republic, in northeastern Russia. The discovery was revealed by Gennady Boeskorov and his colleagues in a paper published in the journal Doklady Earth Sciences in July this year. The three of them are vastly different in age and preservation, with one of them being new to science, the paper says. Boeskorov is a senior researcher at the Diamond and Precious Metals Geology Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also a professor at the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk. They say that while woolly rhino fossils are abundant, their mummies are exceedingly rare. Only a handful of nearly complete woolly rhinos have been found to date, Ars Technica reported. Woolly rhinos (Coelodonta antiquitatis) lived in Eurasia during the Pleistocene period when the most recent glacial expansion occurred. They were stocky, long-haired, and had two horns. They lived at the same time as the woolly mammoths and were the second-most largest animals in this ecosystem. Two juvenile rhino mummies The most well-preserved of the three mummies is of Sasha, the first complete baby woolly rhino ever discovered. It still has its fluffy strawberry-blonde head, a couple of legs, and much of its fluffy torso. While the gender could not be ascertained, researchers say that Sasha was between 12 and 18 months old at the time of its death, based on its teeth and the sutures within its skull. "We’ve learned a great deal from their bones; we’re learning even more thanks to their mummies. Being able to directly observe their hair and skin, for example, offers more evidence regarding just how well-adapted these animals were to their harsh environment," Boeskorov says. Also Read: Global superbug crisis: 40 million lives at risk over next 25 years, warns study Its frontal horn is worn out, possibly because of “rubbing against its mother’s belly” while nursing, scientists suggested in 2015. This rhino, found in 2014, likely drowned in mud. The second mummy, discovered in 2020, is missing much of one side of its body, including most of the intestines. The other side still has skin, some hair, and soft tissues. It was discovered in Yakutia’s Abyisky District in 2020 and so was nicknamed the “Abyisky rhinoceros”. It was likely 4 to 4.5 years of age at the time of its death and was also found along the banks of a river. Oldest mummy The oldest of the three mummies is the Kolyma mummy, which was uncovered in 2007 in a Kolyma gold mine. It was female, the presence of udder and nipples suggests. It likely fell into and was trapped within a confined space. Only one side of her body is preserved. The transverse stripes on her horn, along with teeth, skull, and height, suggest she was about 20 years of age at the time of her death. What has fascinated scientists the most is the presence of a fatty hump on the back of the Abyisky woolly rhino. He told Ars Technica that it likely served as an "additional reservoir of nutrients.” Since a hump has never been seen before on any of the woolly rhino mummies, Boeskorov thinks it might have only developed closer to winter for fat storage.

Woolly rhino mummy found in Russian Far East confirms a feature seen in cave art

Human activity has been found to be the reason why a host of large animals have gone extinct in the last 50,000 years. Climate change has often been blamed for these animals vanishing from the face of Earth. Nearly 161 species of large animals, including mammals, reptiles and birds, have vanished over this period of time. Known as megafauna, this group of animals consists of those that weigh at least 45 kilogrammes. Among these were megaherbivores, a species that once numbered 57 but today only 11 of them remain.

So how did human activity lead to the extinction of these animals? A recent study suggests that humans hunted these animals which ultimately acted as the reason for their decline and later the end. A research group from the Danish National Research Foundation's Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) at Aarhus University undertook the study, taking into consideration various factors.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/evidence-found-in-australian-cave-shows-sorcery-is-the-worlds-continuously-practiced-oldest-ritual-737027">Evidence found in Australian cave shows sorcery is the world’s continuously practiced oldest ritual</a>

<h2>What did the study find?</h2>

What they found was unexpected. During the last interglacial and glacial periods, from 130,000 to 11,000 years ago, several species bore the brunt of the changing climate, however, something seemed to have had a bigger impact on the larger animals.&nbsp;

Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, the lead author of the article, says that selective extinction of megafauna was not observed in previous ice ages. This observation ruled out climate change as being the main culprit for their extinction. "The large and very selective loss of megafauna over the last 50,000 years is unique over the past 66 million years," he says.

"Another significant pattern that argues against a role for climate is that the recent megafauna extinctions hit just as hard in climatically stable areas as in unstable areas," he added.

<h2>Why did large animals go extinct?</h2>

Scientists point to the evidence that supports that these animals were hunted. The discovery of large traps, analyses of ancient human bones and the presence of protein residues on spear points hint at the fact that humans ate mammoths, mastodons, and giant sloths.

Besides, larger animals have longer gestation periods and take years to reach sexual maturity. This means that while they were being hunted down more and more, their population didn't increase at much in the same time period.&nbsp;

Also, while species extinction happened at different times in different places, it consistently happened only after the arrival of modern humans at these places. However, Antarctica remained an exception.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Human activity has been found to be the reason why a host of large animals have gone extinct in the last 50,000 years. Climate change has often been blamed for these animals vanishing from the face of Earth.

Human activity has been found to be the reason why a host of large animals have gone extinct in the last 50,000 years. Climate change has often been blamed for these animals vanishing from the face of Earth. Nearly 161 species of large animals, including mammals, reptiles and birds, have vanished over this period of time. Known as megafauna, this group of animals consists of those that weigh at least 45 kilogrammes. Among these were megaherbivores, a species that once numbered 57 but today only 11 of them remain. So how did human activity lead to the extinction of these animals? A recent study suggests that humans hunted these animals which ultimately acted as the reason for their decline and later the end. A research group from the Danish National Research Foundation's Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) at Aarhus University undertook the study, taking into consideration various factors. Also Read: Evidence found in Australian cave shows sorcery is the world’s continuously practiced oldest ritual What did the study find? What they found was unexpected. During the last interglacial and glacial periods, from 130,000 to 11,000 years ago, several species bore the brunt of the changing climate, however, something seemed to have had a bigger impact on the larger animals. Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, the lead author of the article, says that selective extinction of megafauna was not observed in previous ice ages. This observation ruled out climate change as being the main culprit for their extinction. "The large and very selective loss of megafauna over the last 50,000 years is unique over the past 66 million years," he says. "Another significant pattern that argues against a role for climate is that the recent megafauna extinctions hit just as hard in climatically stable areas as in unstable areas," he added. Why did large animals go extinct? Scientists point to the evidence that supports that these animals were hunted. The discovery of large traps, analyses of ancient human bones and the presence of protein residues on spear points hint at the fact that humans ate mammoths, mastodons, and giant sloths. Besides, larger animals have longer gestation periods and take years to reach sexual maturity. This means that while they were being hunted down more and more, their population didn't increase at much in the same time period. Also, while species extinction happened at different times in different places, it consistently happened only after the arrival of modern humans at these places. However, Antarctica remained an exception.

Several species have gone extinct in the last 50,000 years due to this one human activity

According to a new study, the last woolly mammoth population vanished due to a sudden, random event 4,000 years ago. The genome analysis suggests that the mammoths did not go extinct for genetic reasons, as earlier believed.

Woolly mammoths lived across the frozen land of Europe, North America, and Asia. However, as the ice started to melt, the food they lived on became scarce which caused their population to shrink considerably.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/gray-whales-shrinking-in-size-along-the-pacific-northwest-coast-734650">Gray whales shrinking in size along the Pacific Northwest coast</a>

The last population of mammoths that traveled across the ice to Wrangel Island located in Russia, were cut off from the mainland about 10,000 years ago. According to the researchers, the small group on the island consisted of at least eight mammoths which grew to about 200-300. This population is known to survive 6,000 years more than the rest.

When compared with the mainland population, the island population shows evidence that suggests inbreeding and low genetic diversity. However, the mammoths only accumulated mildly harmful mutations, that were not adverse enough to lead to their extinction. The more harmful mutations were not viable and were discarded by the population over time.

“We can now confidently reject the idea that the population was simply too small and that they were doomed to go extinct for genetic reasons,” said senior author Love Dalén, an evolutionary geneticist at the Centre for Palaeogenetics, a collaboration between the Swedish Museum of Natural History and Stockholm University. “This means it was probably just some random event that killed them off, and if that random event hadn't happened, then we would still have mammoths today.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jurassic-king-with-a-crown-scientists-discover-fancy-headgear-on-78-million-year-old-dinosaur-733808">Jurassic king with a crown? Scientists discover fancy headgear on 78-million-year-old dinosaur</a>

The mammoth genomes examined in this research did not include the last 300 years of their time on Earth. New fossils have been discovered by researchers and will be studied in future.

“What happened at the end is a bit of a mystery still—we don't know why they went extinct after having been more or less fine for 6,000 years, but we think it was something sudden,” said Dalén. “I would say there is still hope to figure out why they went extinct, but no promises.”

This study not only analyses how the woolly mammoths were killed but may also provide us insights into current endangered species and make informed strategies for their conservation.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a new study, the last woolly mammoth population vanished due to a sudden, random event 4,000 years ago. The genome analysis suggests that the mammoths did not go extinct for genetic reasons, as earlier believed.

According to a new study, the last woolly mammoth population vanished due to a sudden, random event 4,000 years ago. The genome analysis suggests that the mammoths did not go extinct for genetic reasons, as earlier believed. Woolly mammoths lived across the frozen land of Europe, North America, and Asia. However, as the ice started to melt, the food they lived on became scarce which caused their population to shrink considerably. Also Read | Gray whales shrinking in size along the Pacific Northwest coast The last population of mammoths that traveled across the ice to Wrangel Island located in Russia, were cut off from the mainland about 10,000 years ago. According to the researchers, the small group on the island consisted of at least eight mammoths which grew to about 200-300. This population is known to survive 6,000 years more than the rest. When compared with the mainland population, the island population shows evidence that suggests inbreeding and low genetic diversity. However, the mammoths only accumulated mildly harmful mutations, that were not adverse enough to lead to their extinction. The more harmful mutations were not viable and were discarded by the population over time. “We can now confidently reject the idea that the population was simply too small and that they were doomed to go extinct for genetic reasons,” said senior author Love Dalén, an evolutionary geneticist at the Centre for Palaeogenetics, a collaboration between the Swedish Museum of Natural History and Stockholm University. “This means it was probably just some random event that killed them off, and if that random event hadn't happened, then we would still have mammoths today.” Also Read | Jurassic king with a crown? Scientists discover fancy headgear on 78-million-year-old dinosaur The mammoth genomes examined in this research did not include the last 300 years of their time on Earth. New fossils have been discovered by researchers and will be studied in future. “What happened at the end is a bit of a mystery still—we don't know why they went extinct after having been more or less fine for 6,000 years, but we think it was something sudden,” said Dalén. “I would say there is still hope to figure out why they went extinct, but no promises.” This study not only analyses how the woolly mammoths were killed but may also provide us insights into current endangered species and make informed strategies for their conservation. (With inputs from agencies)

Mysterious event led to the woolly mammoths perishing from Earth: Study

The majestic woolly mammoth went extinct over 4,000 years ago,&nbsp;however, they continue to captivate the imaginations of biologists and enthusiasts to date.&nbsp;

What if modern science manages to pull them back to Earth using Artificial Intelligence and elephant behaviour?

Fueling this fascination is a daring ambition by the US biotech startup Colossal, known as the "de-extinction company," which has set its sights on bringing back the woolly mammoth through genetic engineering.

The plan is to create a hybrid of the Asian elephant and the mammoth, which will be introduced to the Arctic tundra. While the project has received substantial financial backing, it has also attracted both curiosity and scientific scepticism.

<h2>Lots of challenges to overcome</h2>

To achieve success, Colossal must overcome numerous challenges, including crafting the animal's genetic sequence, successfully fertilising an egg, and then nurturing the hybrid.&nbsp;

However, the real test lies beyond birth, as scientists grapple with the question of how these creatures will thrive in the wild—a puzzle that may take a lifetime or more to solve.&nbsp;

To address this, Colossal is seeking guidance from other animals, specifically a group of elephants in Botswana.

<h2>Startup joins hands with an elephant&nbsp;organisation</h2>

The startup has joined forces with Elephant Havens, a wildlife foundation situated in the Okavango Delta, devoted to caring for orphaned elephants.

Elephant Havens, founded in 2017, will collaborate extensively with Colossal to gather data using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse the elephants' behaviour, coupled with genomic data for each elephant.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;This World | Will artificial intelligence be the end of humanity?

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“We’ll be able to mix the art of the elephant handlers with the science of today,” said Matt James, chief animal officer at Colossal.

Colossal aims to combine the expertise of Elephant Havens with AI modelling and genetic data to deepen their understanding of elephant behaviour. This knowledge will be instrumental in the eventual rewilding of the woolly mammoth hybrids.

<h2>How crucial is AI in the de-extinction process?</h2>

AI plays a crucial role in this animal research endeavour. Colossal's founder, Ben Lamm, acknowledges, “Some of these technologies we take for granted in corporate America or in defence could be directly applied and have a meaningful impact on conservation,” he said. “These tools aren’t in the hands of the people that really need them,” he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ai-nuclear-weapon-of-software-wion-speaks-to-deepai-founder-kevin-baragona-602187">Also read:&nbsp;AI is the 'nuclear weapon of software'</a>

In the 'spirit of collaboration and contribution to wildlife conservation', Colossal plans to share its scientific breakthroughs with partners working on conservation efforts. By offering their technologies and expertise for free, they claim to make a meaningful difference in elephant conservation within the next five to ten years.

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The majestic woolly mammoth went extinct over 4,000 years ago, however, they continue to captivate the imaginations of biologists and enthusiasts to date. What if modern science manages to pull them back to Earth using Artificial Intelligence and elephant behaviour?

The majestic woolly mammoth went extinct over 4,000 years ago, however, they continue to captivate the imaginations of biologists and enthusiasts to date. What if modern science manages to pull them back to Earth using Artificial Intelligence and elephant behaviour? Fueling this fascination is a daring ambition by the US biotech startup Colossal, known as the "de-extinction company," which has set its sights on bringing back the woolly mammoth through genetic engineering. The plan is to create a hybrid of the Asian elephant and the mammoth, which will be introduced to the Arctic tundra. While the project has received substantial financial backing, it has also attracted both curiosity and scientific scepticism. Lots of challenges to overcome To achieve success, Colossal must overcome numerous challenges, including crafting the animal's genetic sequence, successfully fertilising an egg, and then nurturing the hybrid. However, the real test lies beyond birth, as scientists grapple with the question of how these creatures will thrive in the wild—a puzzle that may take a lifetime or more to solve. To address this, Colossal is seeking guidance from other animals, specifically a group of elephants in Botswana. Startup joins hands with an elephant organisation The startup has joined forces with Elephant Havens, a wildlife foundation situated in the Okavango Delta, devoted to caring for orphaned elephants. Elephant Havens, founded in 2017, will collaborate extensively with Colossal to gather data using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse the elephants' behaviour, coupled with genomic data for each elephant. Watch: This World | Will artificial intelligence be the end of humanity? × “We’ll be able to mix the art of the elephant handlers with the science of today,” said Matt James, chief animal officer at Colossal. Colossal aims to combine the expertise of Elephant Havens with AI modelling and genetic data to deepen their understanding of elephant behaviour. This knowledge will be instrumental in the eventual rewilding of the woolly mammoth hybrids. How crucial is AI in the de-extinction process? AI plays a crucial role in this animal research endeavour. Colossal's founder, Ben Lamm, acknowledges, “Some of these technologies we take for granted in corporate America or in defence could be directly applied and have a meaningful impact on conservation,” he said. “These tools aren’t in the hands of the people that really need them,” he added. Also read: AI is the 'nuclear weapon of software' In the 'spirit of collaboration and contribution to wildlife conservation', Colossal plans to share its scientific breakthroughs with partners working on conservation efforts. By offering their technologies and expertise for free, they claim to make a meaningful difference in elephant conservation within the next five to ten years. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Woolly mammoth went extinct 4,000 years ago. Here's how a US startup plans to revive them

What image does the name 'woolly mammoth' bring to your mind? Huge, majestic creatures with giant tusks walking an Earth yet untouched by modern humans.&nbsp;

They last walked that walk a million years back and since then the majestic animals have lain silent and mostly undisturbed in their permafrost graves. But, now curious scientists have decided to disturb their slumber and attempt to 'reawaken' ancient, Stone Age viruses.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Scientists revive 48,500-year-old ‘zombie virus’ buried in ice

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As per researchers, northeast Siberia is home to the remains of the woolly mammoth, the woolly rhinoceros, other extinct species and...dormant ancient viruses.

The project is being carried out by Vector or Russia's State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology and as per Daily Mail, it aims to extract cellular material that contains viruses that killed the giant beasts and perform experiments on them in a lab.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/skorea-reports-first-death-by-naegleria-fowleri-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-brain-eating-amoeba-547004">S.Korea reports first death by Naegleria fowleri. Here's all you need to know about the 'brain-eating amoeba'</a>

However, there's concern that given the fact that the human bodies of today are strangers to these prehistoric 'paleoviruses' and if they were to jump the species barrier, the coronavirus pandemic may end up looking like the less deadly outbreak.&nbsp;

Given that the woolly mammoth were huge animals the size of today's elephants which are much larger than an average human, the viruses that killed them are definitely a cause of concern.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/china-a-fertile-breeding-ground-for-a-potentially-dangerous-covid-mutation-experts-546567">China a 'fertile breeding ground' for a potentially dangerous Covid mutation: Experts</a>

The scientific community too has raised the alarm. &nbsp;Jean-Michel Claverie, a professor of microbiology at the University of Aix-Marseille in France said that the Russian research "is terrible. I'm totally against it".

He added that it "is very, very risky. Our immune systems have never encountered these types of viruses. Some of them could be 200,000 or even 400,000 years old. But ancient viruses that infected animals or humans could still be infectious."

But the sad truth is that even without Vector's reawakening of the ancient viruses chances are something deadly will slip out of the Arctic's frozen waters sooner or later. As global warming slowly melts permafrost the global scientific community has already raised alarm over deadly diseases that may escape their "frozen prisons".

(With inputs from agencies)

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What image does the name 'woolly mammoth' bring to your mind? Huge, majestic creatures with giant tusks walking an Earth yet untouched by modern humans. They last walked that walk a million years back and since then the majestic animals have lain silent and mostly undisturbed in their permafrost graves.

What image does the name 'woolly mammoth' bring to your mind? Huge, majestic creatures with giant tusks walking an Earth yet untouched by modern humans. They last walked that walk a million years back and since then the majestic animals have lain silent and mostly undisturbed in their permafrost graves. But, now curious scientists have decided to disturb their slumber and attempt to 'reawaken' ancient, Stone Age viruses. Watch | WION Climate Tracker: Scientists revive 48,500-year-old ‘zombie virus’ buried in ice As per researchers, northeast Siberia is home to the remains of the woolly mammoth, the woolly rhinoceros, other extinct species and...dormant ancient viruses. The project is being carried out by Vector or Russia's State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology and as per Daily Mail, it aims to extract cellular material that contains viruses that killed the giant beasts and perform experiments on them in a lab. Also read | S.Korea reports first death by Naegleria fowleri. Here's all you need to know about the 'brain-eating amoeba' However, there's concern that given the fact that the human bodies of today are strangers to these prehistoric 'paleoviruses' and if they were to jump the species barrier, the coronavirus pandemic may end up looking like the less deadly outbreak. Given that the woolly mammoth were huge animals the size of today's elephants which are much larger than an average human, the viruses that killed them are definitely a cause of concern. Also read | China a 'fertile breeding ground' for a potentially dangerous Covid mutation: Experts The scientific community too has raised the alarm. Jean-Michel Claverie, a professor of microbiology at the University of Aix-Marseille in France said that the Russian research "is terrible. I'm totally against it". He added that it "is very, very risky. Our immune systems have never encountered these types of viruses. Some of them could be 200,000 or even 400,000 years old. But ancient viruses that infected animals or humans could still be infectious." But the sad truth is that even without Vector's reawakening of the ancient viruses chances are something deadly will slip out of the Arctic's frozen waters sooner or later. As global warming slowly melts permafrost the global scientific community has already raised alarm over deadly diseases that may escape their "frozen prisons". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian researchers attempt to 're-awaken' ancient viruses that killed giant woolly mammoths

Canadian gold miners have found the remains of a rare mummified baby woolly mammoth that froze over 30,000 years ago in the Klondike gold fields.

According to a news release from the Yukon government and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation, miners were working on the Eureka Creek when they made the discovery.

The mammoth calf, which is the most complete mummified mammoth found in North America, has been named Nun cho ga by the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Elders.

Nun cho ga, which means "big baby animal" in the Hän language, likely roamed the Yukon with wild horses, cave lions, and giant steppe bison.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/steps-enough-for-two-rounds-of-earth-scientists-discover-woolly-mammoths-massive-lifetime-mileage-405081">Also read |&nbsp;Steps enough for two rounds of Earth: Scientists discover woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage</a>

After the discovery, Minister of Tourism and Culture Ranj Pillai said ''The Yukon has always been an internationally renowned leader for ice age and Beringia research. We are thrilled about this significant discovery of a mummified woolly mammoth calf: Nun cho ga.''&nbsp;

''Without strong partnerships between placer miners, Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, and the Yukon government, discoveries like this could not happen,'' Pillai added.

''This is as a remarkable recovery for our First Nation, and we look forward to collaborating with the Yukon government on the next steps in the process for moving forward with these remains in a way that honours our traditions, culture, and laws,'' said Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Roberta Joseph.

Woolly mammoths roamed North America, Asia, and Europe from about 300,000 years ago up until around 10,000 years ago, according to palaeontologists.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Canadian gold miners have found the remains of a rare mummified baby woolly mammoth that froze over 30,000 years ago in the Klondike gold fields. According to a news release from the Yukon government and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation, miners were working on the Eureka Creek when they made the discovery.

Canadian gold miners have found the remains of a rare mummified baby woolly mammoth that froze over 30,000 years ago in the Klondike gold fields. According to a news release from the Yukon government and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation, miners were working on the Eureka Creek when they made the discovery. The mammoth calf, which is the most complete mummified mammoth found in North America, has been named Nun cho ga by the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Elders. Nun cho ga, which means "big baby animal" in the Hän language, likely roamed the Yukon with wild horses, cave lions, and giant steppe bison. Also read | Steps enough for two rounds of Earth: Scientists discover woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage After the discovery, Minister of Tourism and Culture Ranj Pillai said ''The Yukon has always been an internationally renowned leader for ice age and Beringia research. We are thrilled about this significant discovery of a mummified woolly mammoth calf: Nun cho ga.'' ''Without strong partnerships between placer miners, Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, and the Yukon government, discoveries like this could not happen,'' Pillai added. ''This is as a remarkable recovery for our First Nation, and we look forward to collaborating with the Yukon government on the next steps in the process for moving forward with these remains in a way that honours our traditions, culture, and laws,'' said Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Roberta Joseph. Woolly mammoths roamed North America, Asia, and Europe from about 300,000 years ago up until around 10,000 years ago, according to palaeontologists. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Rare mummified baby woolly mammoth, frozen over 30,000 years ago, found by Canadian gold miners

Woolly mammoths are just like an enigma. The huge beasts roamed the Arctic 10 thousand years ago and even co-existed with early humans. Today, the elephants do not have fur Woolly mammoths had to survive the cold of the ice ages.

Mammoths are extinct. There has been talk among scientists of bringing mammoths back to life. Scientists say that such a thing is conceivable as we have technologies like gene editing that allow us to make progress in this direction.&nbsp;

Now, the effort has got a firm financial backing as a bioscience and genetics company Colossal has raised USD 15 million.

The scientists have set their eyes on first creating an elephant-mammoth hybrid. For this, embryos with mammoth DNA will be created in the laboratory.

Starting point of the project will be to obtain skin cells from Asian elephants. These will be reprogrammed into more versatile stem cells carrying mammoth DNA.

The embryo will be then carried to term with the help of a surrogate mother or an artificial womb.

There will be hurdles in this path of course. But scientists feel that if all goes according to the plan, the first calves will be born in six years.

Probably ice age wouldn't remain only in the movies after all.

Woolly mammoths are just like an enigma. The huge beasts roamed the Arctic 10 thousand years ago and even co-existed with early humans. Today, the elephants do not have fur Woolly mammoths had to survive the cold of the ice ages.

Woolly mammoths are just like an enigma. The huge beasts roamed the Arctic 10 thousand years ago and even co-existed with early humans. Today, the elephants do not have fur Woolly mammoths had to survive the cold of the ice ages. Mammoths are extinct. There has been talk among scientists of bringing mammoths back to life. Scientists say that such a thing is conceivable as we have technologies like gene editing that allow us to make progress in this direction. Now, the effort has got a firm financial backing as a bioscience and genetics company Colossal has raised USD 15 million. The scientists have set their eyes on first creating an elephant-mammoth hybrid. For this, embryos with mammoth DNA will be created in the laboratory. Starting point of the project will be to obtain skin cells from Asian elephants. These will be reprogrammed into more versatile stem cells carrying mammoth DNA. The embryo will be then carried to term with the help of a surrogate mother or an artificial womb. There will be hurdles in this path of course. But scientists feel that if all goes according to the plan, the first calves will be born in six years. Probably ice age wouldn't remain only in the movies after all.

Jurassic Park revisited? Effort to revive woolly mammoths gets huge boost

Scientists have discovered a&nbsp;17,000-year-old woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage through its tusks.

Researchers say they have&nbsp;proven that the huge beast was a long-distance wanderer, walking the equivalent of twice around the world during a life lasting 28 years.

The findings, published&nbsp;in the journal&nbsp;Science, could shed light on theories about why the mammoth, whose teeth were bigger than the human fist, became extinct.

"In all popular culture,&nbsp;for example, if you watch (the cartoon) 'Ice Age', there are always mammoths who move around a lot," said Clement Bataille, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and one of the lead authors of the study.

But there is no clear reason why mammoths should have trekked great distances "because it is such an enormous animal that moving around uses a lot of energy," he said.

The researchers were amazed by the results: the mammoth they studied probably walked around 70,000 kilometres (43,500 miles) and did not stay just on the plains of Alaska as they expected.

"We see that it traveled throughout Alaska, so an immense territory," said Bataille. "It was really a surprise."

Readings on a tusk&nbsp;

For their study, the researchers selected the tusks of a male woolly mammoth who lived at the end of the last ice age.

The animal, named "Kik" after a local river, lived relatively close to the time of the extinction of the species, around 13,000 years ago.

One of the two tusks was cut in half to take readings of strontium isotope ratios.

Strontium is a chemical element similar to limestone and is present in the soil. It is transmitted to vegetation and, when eaten, is deposited in bones, teeth... or tusks.

The tusks grow throughout a mammal's life, with the tip reflecting the first years of life, and the base representing the final years.

Isotope ratios are different depending on geology, and Bataille developed an isotopic map of the region.

By comparing it with the data from the tusks, it was possible to track when and where the mammoth had been.

At the time, glaciers covered all of the Brooks Range of mountains in the north and the Alaska Range in the south, with the plain of the Yukon River in the center.

The animal returned regularly to some areas, where it could stay for several years. But his movements also changed greatly depending on his age, before he eventually died of hunger.

During the first two years of his life, researchers were even able to observe signs of breastfeeding.

"What was really surprising was that after the teenage years, the isotopic variations start to be much more important," said Bataille.

The mammoth has "three or four times in its life, made an immense journey of 500, 600 even 700 kilometres, in a few months."

Scientists say the male may have been solitary, and moving from herd to herd to reproduce. Or he could have been facing a drought or a harsh winter, forcing him to seek a new area where food was more plentiful.

Lessons for today?&nbsp;

Whether for genetic diversity or due to scarce resources, it is "clear that this species needed an extremely large area" to live," said Bataille.

But, at the time of the transition from the ice age to the interglacial period, when they were extinct, "the area shrank because more forests grew" and "humans put quite a lot of pressure on southern Alaska, where mammoths probably moved much less."

Understanding factors that led to the disappearance of mammoths may help protect other threatened megafauna species, such as caribou or elephants.

With today's climate changing, and humans often restricting big species to parks and reserves, Bataille said, "do we want our children 1,000 years from now to view elephants the same way we view mammoths today?"

(With inputs from Agencies)

Scientists have discovered a 17,000-year-old woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage through its tusks. Researchers say they have proven that the huge beast was a long-distance wanderer, walking the equivalent of twice around the world during a life lasting 28 years.

Scientists have discovered a 17,000-year-old woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage through its tusks. Researchers say they have proven that the huge beast was a long-distance wanderer, walking the equivalent of twice around the world during a life lasting 28 years. The findings, published in the journal Science, could shed light on theories about why the mammoth, whose teeth were bigger than the human fist, became extinct. "In all popular culture, for example, if you watch (the cartoon) 'Ice Age', there are always mammoths who move around a lot," said Clement Bataille, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and one of the lead authors of the study. But there is no clear reason why mammoths should have trekked great distances "because it is such an enormous animal that moving around uses a lot of energy," he said. The researchers were amazed by the results: the mammoth they studied probably walked around 70,000 kilometres (43,500 miles) and did not stay just on the plains of Alaska as they expected. "We see that it traveled throughout Alaska, so an immense territory," said Bataille. "It was really a surprise." Readings on a tusk For their study, the researchers selected the tusks of a male woolly mammoth who lived at the end of the last ice age. The animal, named "Kik" after a local river, lived relatively close to the time of the extinction of the species, around 13,000 years ago. One of the two tusks was cut in half to take readings of strontium isotope ratios. Strontium is a chemical element similar to limestone and is present in the soil. It is transmitted to vegetation and, when eaten, is deposited in bones, teeth... or tusks. The tusks grow throughout a mammal's life, with the tip reflecting the first years of life, and the base representing the final years. Isotope ratios are different depending on geology, and Bataille developed an isotopic map of the region. By comparing it with the data from the tusks, it was possible to track when and where the mammoth had been. At the time, glaciers covered all of the Brooks Range of mountains in the north and the Alaska Range in the south, with the plain of the Yukon River in the center. The animal returned regularly to some areas, where it could stay for several years. But his movements also changed greatly depending on his age, before he eventually died of hunger. During the first two years of his life, researchers were even able to observe signs of breastfeeding. "What was really surprising was that after the teenage years, the isotopic variations start to be much more important," said Bataille. The mammoth has "three or four times in its life, made an immense journey of 500, 600 even 700 kilometres, in a few months." Scientists say the male may have been solitary, and moving from herd to herd to reproduce. Or he could have been facing a drought or a harsh winter, forcing him to seek a new area where food was more plentiful. Lessons for today? Whether for genetic diversity or due to scarce resources, it is "clear that this species needed an extremely large area" to live," said Bataille. But, at the time of the transition from the ice age to the interglacial period, when they were extinct, "the area shrank because more forests grew" and "humans put quite a lot of pressure on southern Alaska, where mammoths probably moved much less." Understanding factors that led to the disappearance of mammoths may help protect other threatened megafauna species, such as caribou or elephants. With today's climate changing, and humans often restricting big species to parks and reserves, Bataille said, "do we want our children 1,000 years from now to view elephants the same way we view mammoths today?" (With inputs from Agencies)

Steps enough for two rounds of Earth: Scientists discover woolly mammoth's massive lifetime mileage

A well-preserved skeleton of a woolly mammoth, which has some ligaments still attached to it, has been recovered from a lake in northern Siberia. Russian scientists are now working to retrieve it.

Russian paleontologists found a well-preserved skeleton of woolly mammoth in Siberian lake

woolly-mammoth

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