Scientists have discovered partial skeletons and tusks of a Columbian mammoth in Idaho, USA. They believe that a complete mammoth skeleton may have been buried there, which would be an extremely rare discovery.
Experts estimate that this mammoth lived between 70,000 and 120,000 years ago, died at about 16 years old, and inhabited a vast grassland teeming with large herbivores and predators. The skeleton was discovered earlier this month by amateur fossil hunters and then excavated by faculty and students at Iowa State University.
On the 18th of this month, the rising water level of a nearby reservoir forced them to halt their work, but they erected a fence to ensure the remains would remain in place even if submerged. They plan to return to the site to continue excavation once the water level recedes again next summer.
The Colombian mammoth is the largest of the five mammoth species in North America.
Rare and complete Colombian mammoth fossils discovered in Idaho, USA.
