The discovery of mummified animals, specifically those frozen in ice, can provide valuable information about extinct species and their way of life. Permafrost, areas of permanently frozen ground, have preserved Ice Age creatures, but they are melting due to global warming, releasing methane into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, pirates are taking advantage of melting permafrost and stealing valuable animal parts. However, this video focuses on specimens that have been discovered ethically. The woolly rhinoceros, cave lion, woolly mammoth, step bison, and Lena horse are some of the animals discussed in the video.
The woolly rhinoceros was found preserved in ice twice, with the 2020 discovery being one of the best-preserved animals ever found in the region. The cave lion, highly distinct and genetically isolated from the modern lion, was discovered in eastern Siberia in 2017 as a well-preserved cub. The woolly mammoth, famously discovered multiple times, had two calves discovered in 2007 and one of the best-preserved examples found in 2022. The step bison, with a complete heart, brain, and digestive system, was discovered in Northern Siberia in 2011, and its well-preserved blood vessels make it a potential candidate for cloning. The Lena horse, an extinct species of horse, was also discovered in Siberia.
Overall, mummified animals provide a glimpse into the past, but their discovery and preservation are at risk due to global warming and illegal activities.
