Scientists mapped an ancient woolly mammoth’s wide wanderings, sad fate
This mammoth really got around. Very interesting research from the University of Alaska. Hopefully we’ll be able to carry some lessons forward from this 1700yo pachyderm. Via CNet:
The ancient dental records show the big old boy lived to be 28 years old and in that time it covered enough of the Alaskan tundra, taiga and mountains to nearly circle the world twice.
This woolly one didn’t exactly have an easy journey, though. The analysis showed an abrupt shift around age 15 that likely means the mammoth was ostracized from its herd, which often happens with contemporary elephants. Later, a spike in nitrogen isotopes during the last winter of the animal’s life suggest it may have starved to death where its remains were eventually recovered above the Brooks Range.
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