Is Global Warming or Ivory Trade Uncovering More Mammoth Secrets?

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In summary: Andre,The baby mammoth was very well preserved due to the cool, moist environment that exists near the ground in permafrost. The tests that will be done on her will help us understand the effects of global warming on the ice age.
  • #1
Andre
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About the most recent http://www.farnorthscience.com/2007/07/25/news-from-alaska/baby-mammoth-undergoes-tests/, the little baby:

mammoth1.jpg


it is said:

Global warming may expose even more secrets of the ice age. The well-preserved remains of a four-month-old baby wooly mammoth recovered from melting permafrost in Siberia last spring will now undergo sophisiticated testing and analysis at University of Michigan for testing.

However, if you go there, the first thing that comes into mind is not 'global warming' that has increased the recent mammoth finds as http://www.nature.com/nature/links/041021/041021-8.html are roughly comparable to the 1940s, it's simply business. Ivory.

A few years ago http://www.american.edu/ted/elephant.htm[/URL] swarmed the areas and they are are collecting tons of tusks, with very mixed feelings of the paleontologists, since they ruin the finding places but they also do spectacular discoveries like this, in places in which previously nobody was interested in. There is a lot more to be expected.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/290/5499/2062 tells me that this particular mammoth baby is about 30,000 years old. Waiting for the scientific publication.
 
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Andre said:
About the most recent spectacular mammoth find, the little baby:
Cute little calf, oh but what mysteries will she reveal?

That's very sad about the ivory profiteers of Siberia. So for them, it's somewhat like a cash cow , a means to put food on their table. They don't feel any shame or guilt in plundering the remains of animals from antiquity.
 
  • #3
Very interesting, Andre! How soon do the baby males begin to develop tusks?
 
  • #4
According to Michio Kaku of String Theory fame, mammoth and dinosaur bones contain soft tissue suitable for DNA extraction. Incredibly the DNA is much better preserved in bones that it is in hair and the like. So be weary if you hear about a rash of breakins into dinosaur museums. Jurassic park here we come!
 
  • #5
Its so tiny, I wonder how it died.
 

1. What is a mammoth and why is its discovery significant?

A mammoth is an extinct species of elephant that lived during the Ice Age. Its discovery is significant because it provides valuable information about the Earth's history and evolution.

2. Where have mammoth discoveries been made?

Mammoth discoveries have been made in various parts of the world, including Siberia, North America, Europe, and Asia.

3. What are some common uses for mammoth ivory?

Mammoth ivory has been used for various purposes throughout history, including creating tools, weapons, and decorative items. Today, it is primarily used in the production of jewelry and art pieces.

4. How is mammoth ivory different from elephant ivory?

Mammoth ivory and elephant ivory are both composed of the same material, but they have distinct differences. Mammoth ivory has a unique grain pattern and is often more durable and less likely to crack. Additionally, the harvesting of mammoth ivory does not harm living animals, making it a more ethical choice.

5. What can mammoth discoveries tell us about climate change?

Mammoth discoveries provide scientists with valuable information about past climates and how they have changed over time. By studying the remains of mammoths, scientists can better understand how the Earth's climate has evolved and potentially make predictions about future changes.

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