The discovery of a well-preserved juvenile mammoth suggests that ancient humans “stole” mammoths from hunting lions, scientists say.
Bernard Buigues and Professor Alice Roberts were part of the team which unwrapped the frozen mammoth, known as Yuka, after its journey from the location where tusk hunters found it in northern Siberia.
Scientists have since completed an initial assessment of Yuka.
“Its foot pads and thick strawberry-blonde hair are exquisitely preserved,” noted Professor Alice Roberts.
The mammoth was filmed as part of the BBC/Discovery co-production programme Woolly Mammoth: Secrets from the Ice, which will be broadcast in the UK on Wednesday 4 April at 21:00 BST on BBC Two, and in the US on the Discovery Channel at a later date.