Russian scientist dissects wolf buried in permafrost that remained stable for 44,000 years.
The wolf's carcass was found by chance in the Abysky district of the Yakutia region. In northeastern Russia in 2021, an autopsy is currently being conducted by a team of scientists. This wolf is estimated to have been buried under permafrost for 44,000 years, making it the world's first discovery of a late Pleistocene predator.
Necropsies were performed to understand the wolf's diet. What type of wolf is it and is it related to the ancient wolves that lived in northeastern Eurasia?
Scientists say it's not uncommon to find the remains of thousands of years old animals buried in permafrost. But this discovery is special. It's the first time a large carnivore has been found. Wolves are active hunters. They're more agile and move faster than herbivores, which often die near swamps and are found buried under permafrost.
Yakutia lies between the Arctic Ocean and Russia's Far East and is a region of swamps and forests the size of Texas. About 95% of the region is covered in permafrost and winter temperatures can reach minus 64 degrees Celsius.
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