Scientists want to clone mammoth from 39,000-year-old mummy
You may have noticed that Mega Curious loves Japan, right? Yeah, we like a lot of things that happen there in that incredible little land and the news now is that country is receiving the illustrious visit of a creature called Yuka, the best preserved mammoth of all time.
This is the first time this mummified mammoth has been put on public display. Yuka was found three years ago in Siberia and paleontologists believe he died between the ages of six and 11, 39, 000 years ago.
One of the researchers involved with Yuka's discovery, Semyon Grigoriev, said the mammoth is so well preserved because it has been frozen for so long. He said he supposed the mammoth might have fallen or become stuck somewhere until it died, which explains why the animal's lower body was well preserved. By contrast, the upper trunk was virtually eroded by prehistoric predators.
Foot
Skull
One of the most interesting things about discovering this mammoth is that even though it was frozen for so long, it was possible for scientists to collect blood samples from its body. Some researchers believe that this mammoth's blood contains a kind of natural antifreeze.
An agreement has been signed between scientists to try to clone Yuka, but it is not yet known whether it is possible to find a well-preserved genetic material from the blood sample taken. Professor Adrian Lister of the London Natural History Museum told The Guardian that whenever a mammoth is found, questions about cloning are raised. Lister, however, says he doubts that cloning could happen. And you, what do you think about that?
The skin, almost intact
Preserved hair
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