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'On the Eve of the First World War, the single Siberian province of Irkutsk was larger than all of India'
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Still snarling after 40,000 years, a giant Pleistocene wolf discovered in Yakutia

By 0 and 0 and 0
07 June 2019

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The Pleistocene wolf’s head is 40cm long, so half of the whole body length of a modern wolf which varies from 66 to 86cm. Picture: Albert Protopopov

The severed head of the world’s first full-sized Pleistocene wolf was unearthed in the Abyisky district in the north of Yakutia. 

Local man Pavel Efimov found it in summer 2018 on shore of the Tirekhtyakh River, tributary of Indigirka.

The wolf, whose rich mammoth-like fur and impressive fangs are still intact, was fully grown and aged from two to four years old when it died. 

Pleistocene wolf

The wolf, whose rich mammoth-like fur and impressive fangs are still intact, was fully grown and aged from two to four years old when it died. Picture: Albert Protopopov

The head was dated older than 40,000 years by Japanese scientists.

Scientists at the Swedish Museum of Natural History will examine the Pleistocene predator’s DNA.

‘This is a unique discovery of the first ever remains of a fully grown Pleistocene wolf with its tissue preserved. We will be comparing it to modern-day wolves to understand how the species has evolved and to reconstruct its appearance,’ said an excited Albert Protopopov, from the Republic of Sakha Academy of Sciences. 

Map

Local man Pavel Efimov found it in summer 2018 on shore of the Tirekhtyakh River, tributary of Indigirka.

The Pleistocene wolf’s head is 40cm long, so half of the whole body length of a modern wolf which varies from 66 to 86cm. 

The astonishing discovery was announced in Tokyo, Japan, during the opening of a grandiose Woolly Mammoth exhibition organised by Yakutian and Japanese scientists. 

CT scan


CT scan


CT scan

CT scan of the wolf's head. Pictures: Albert Protopopov, Naoki Suzuki

Alongside the wolf the scientists presented an immaculately-well preserved cave lion cub. 

‘Their muscles, organs and brains are in good condition,’ said Naoki Suzuki, a professor of palaeontology and medicine with the Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, who studied the remains with a CT scanner. 

‘We want to assess their physical capabilities and ecology by comparing them with the lions and wolves of today.’

Pleistocene wolf


Pleistocene wolf

‘This is a unique discovery of the first ever remains of a fully grown Pleistocene wolf with its tissue preserved.' Pictures: Naoki Suzuki

The cave lion cub named Spartak - previously announced - is about 40cm long and weighed about 800 grams. 

Scientists believe the cub died shortly after birth. 

The recent discovery follows that of the remains of three cave lions in 2015 and 2017 by the same team.

The cave lion cub named Spartak - previously announced - is about 40cm long and weighed about 800 grams. Pictures: The Siberian Times, YSIA

Spartak


Spartak


Research


Frozen cave lion cub

Comments (150)

This is simply incredible. 40,000 years old. It boggles my mind and makes me wish I was a scientist with a chance to study it. It's ancient history in the flesh.
Michele, United States
14/06/2019 01:55
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I’m sad that we are destroying the planet-but if we could bring back apex predators I’m sure it would be a good thing, give ‘man’ something to think/fear about! Nee use too much plastic, this we know so why has no Eco company come up with an alternative (too much sponsorship by big corps?) as I find this both distressing and a tad sad, frankly.
To sum up though, why consider bringing these magnificent creatures back just to destroy them again?
Adrian Greaves, Harrogate, UK
13/06/2019 10:42
19
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Thank you for sharing this incredible find and for both the locals and scientists for preserving and sharing this and future discoveries with the world!
R Scott Demuth, Denver, Colorado USA
13/06/2019 09:24
16
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Looks like a bear head to me.
Kelly , Bath
13/06/2019 06:10
6
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Lamentablemente el calentamiento global es una realidad ya presente

Siberia es un ejemplo, cada día se leen noticias de que se descubre una y otra especie que había estado conservada por miles de años gracias al hielo.

Debemos tomar conciencia de que debemos actuar desde ya.
Mariela, Chile
13/06/2019 03:25
3
3
Its incredible to have a glimpse of these animals that witnessed megafauna first hand. Fascinating!
Frank, Marion NC, USA
13/06/2019 01:17
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clearly it agian has to be made clear - evolution is a fact - the THEORY OF evolution BY natural selection is the theory bit you can that or put forward an alternate theory of evolution by 'god' magic or a theory of evolution by alien intervention- what you cannot have is no evolution
Hypatia Atheiria, Lincoln lincs NW EU islands
13/06/2019 01:01
11
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Only in Russia...and only in Siberia. Very nice!
Michel S., France
12/06/2019 22:54
2
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To je něco.
Arno, Чешская Республика
12/06/2019 18:38
1
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Incredible find...la natura ci sorprende sempre!
Chiara Parisi, Italia
12/06/2019 16:12
8
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I just read a comment by Scott Z from the USA. They don't raise them too bright in America, ey, mate? Evolution is a lie? Ha ha ha Better go read your bible then, since your lack of reality really shows. You must LOVE that Donald Trump. We hear he is a real lunatic. Please keep him there. We do not want whackos like him in SOUTH AFRICA!
Fruitty, South Africa
12/06/2019 12:58
52
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How did it taste? Mmmmm Yummy!
Fruitty, South Africa
12/06/2019 12:55
2
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Do you know how much plastic they found in the ocean? Did you see the island that the beach is nothing but bits and chunks of broken tooth brushes and miles of micro plastic? Did you see when they capture animals and find used bottles in their stomach? Did you not see the Red Water in Florida? How about the thousands of fish that beach themselves, and are dieing all over? All this chemicals, they dump it in the water. The ice is melting. Do some research, the top scientists say humanity will end before 2049. In 30 years, that is less then my age. How about you? Do you know any kids? They are not going to live to your age. Please - stop saying Climate change is not real. WAKE UP - The rain-forest? Look at the animal and insect populations. How many Bees have died? Did you see hurricane Michael? They are still dealing with the damage. What about all these facts, who really believes this is natural? Open your eyes
Ceasar, America
12/06/2019 12:31
25
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It doesn't take a scientist to realize that all the pollutants and gases we are constantly spewing into the air IS altering the atmosphere , Oceans and which are planetary heating. Earth has never done this , this quickly, (IT) does not work that way. Only fools refuse to understand it or try.
Don Clark, United States
12/06/2019 09:50
35
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For the climate change deniers out there, you’re either funded or fooled by conservative billionaires: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-money-behind-the-climate-denial-movement-180948204/
Kimberly, California
12/06/2019 05:00
24
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