Kayaking Sisters Stumble Upon Mysterious Grizzly Bear Skull Hidden for Centuries in Kansas River
Once they pulled the bone out, it was obvious this once belonged to a carnivorous predator — its large teeth a glaring clue.
After an enthusiastic Facebook post from the sisters, KDWPT’s game warden Chris Stout shared the social media photos with his colleagues.
According to Fox News, word of this remarkable find quickly spread to Sternberg Museum of Natural History paleontologists Dr. Reese Barrick and Mike Everhart, who were quite impressed.
“[The grizzly skull] is one of three skulls of its type found in Kansas last of which was found in the 50’s,” an updated Facebook post from the sisters read.
“It is also the most complete of the three. The bear probably died of old age, not to [sic] far from where we found it, because it would not have been in the excellent condition it is if it had traveled far on the river.”
Due to its fossilized state, the experts were confused whether or not this belonged to a modern grizzly or a more ancient counterpart.
“The bear skull was washed out of the same river sediments that routinely produce the skulls and bones of the American bison, some of which could date back as far as the last Ice Age,” said Everhart.
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and TourismAshley and Erin Watt were kayaking when they saw the skull protruding from a sandbank. Thanks to social media, experts were able to get in touch and analyze the find.
As coincidence would have it, Ashley is a former high school agriculture teacher, while her sister Erin studies animal science at West Texas A&M University. The sisters’ Facebook post confirmed that scientists dated their find to be at least over 200 years old.
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