Siberian reindeer herders find intact Ice Age cave bear | Abroad

Until now, only cave bear bones and skulls had been found. According to scientist Lena Grigorieva of the Northeast Federal University in Yakutsk, the find is of global importance. All organs and even the nose are in place, she said in a statement. Researchers hope to obtain DNA.

The specimen, which according to first estimates lived between 22,000 and 39,500 years ago, was found on the Lyachovsky Islands, between the Laptev Sea and the East Siberian Sea. The prehistoric cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) became extinct about 15,000 years ago, the university said.

Melting permafrost in Siberia has uncovered remains of more prehistoric animal species in recent years, including mammoths, wool rhinoceroses and cave lion cubs.

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