Frozen in Time: 50,000-Year-Old Extinct Lion Discovered in Siberian Permafrost with Mysterious Pose
Ever wondered where you might bump into a lion frozen in time—literally? Well, Siberia’s permafrost isn’t just a chilly backdrop; it’s Mother Nature’s very own deep-freeze for ancient creatures, locking them in perfect condition for tens of thousands of years. Recently, scientists uncovered a young cave lion cub there, frozen alive with its tiny head resting gently on its paw. Imagine that—something so beautiful and raw, preserved from a time when lions prowled not just Africa, but Europe, Asia, and even Alaska! This discovery isn’t just a window into prehistory; it could be a giant leap toward actually bringing extinct species back to life. So, what if this adorable cub is the key to roaring back a long-lost era? Dive into this icy tale of survival, science, and a hint of Jurassic-esque wonder. LEARN MORE.
The permafrost of Siberia has the perfect conditions to preserve biological specimens for tens of thousands of years.
Though nowadays we associate lions with Africa, millions of years ago, ancient lions traipsed across Europe, Asia, and North America.
One of these ancient lions, a young cub, was recently unveiled after being found frozen in the Siberian tundra of Russia by a Abyisky district resident, reported The Siberian Times.
The approximately one-year-old cub was frozen alive, with his head still resting on his paw. It is not yet clear whether the cub was male or female.
The Siberian Times
The head of the prehistoric fauna studies at the department of Yakutian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Albert Protopopov, said, “It is a perfectly preserved lion cub, all the limbs have survived. There are no traces of external injuries on the skin.”
Post Comment