Mammoth Discovery: 50,000-Year-Old Baby Mammoth 'Yana' Found in Siberia's Thawing Permafrost

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Researchers in Siberia have revealed the exceptionally well-preserved remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth, affectionately named "Yana." Discovered in the Batagaika crater, often referred to as the "gateway to the underworld" due to its rapidly thawing permafrost, Yana’s remains are among the most complete specimens ever uncovered. This groundbreaking discovery was made public on December 23, 2024, attracting significant attention from the scientific community.

Yana is believed to have been only about one year old when she passed away. The mammoth’s remains weigh more than 100 kilograms (roughly 220 pounds) and her body measures around 120 centimeters (47 inches) in height and 200 centimeters (79 inches) in length. Remarkably, her head, trunk, ears, and mouth are in excellent condition, although parts of her forelimbs were scavenged by predators.

This discovery highlights the ongoing effects of climate change, as thawing permafrost continues to expose ancient animal remains, offering unique opportunities for scientists to study prehistoric life. Yana’s remains will be further analyzed at North-Eastern Federal University’s mammoth research center in Yakutsk, where experts hope to learn more about the species' behavior and environmental adaptations during the Ice Age. The discovery is particularly significant because it represents only the seventh baby mammoth carcass ever found, with six others located in Russia and one in Canada. The Batagaika crater has also yielded other important prehistoric remains, including bison and horses, making it a key site for paleontological research.