Scientists Discover Perfectly Preserved Extinct Cave Lion

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Academy of Sciences of Yakutia/The Siberian Times

This cub is among two cave lions that were discovered this summer, which roamed the snowy, Siberian wastelands over 10,000 years ago.

The extraordinary discovery was made by the scientists in the Academy of Sciences of the Sakha Republic, aka Yakutia, and they revealed the stunning images ahead of a major presentation of the remains next month.

RGO/The Siberian Times

It’s hoped these remains will shed light on the reasons why the cave lion became extinct and scientists are looking to obtain genetic material of a high enough quality to attempt to bring the cave lion back to live- similar to the woolly mammoth.

The cave lion roamed the ancient world from the British Isles to northern Europe and Russia. They were even found in Alaska and Northern Canada before becoming extinct over 10,000 years ago. The Siberian Times reported that the prehistoric mammal was the best preserved ever unearthed and could be even older than first thought.

Academy of Sciences of Yakutia/The Siberian Times

Both cubs will be unveiled at a presentation to scientists and the international media in Yakutsk, which will also include remains of 39,000-year-old woolly mammoth Yuka, also found in the same region.