Baby mammoth will ‘live’ 500 years

Scientists say the body of a prehistoric mammoth, found in Russia, can be preserved for another 500 years. The frozen remains, weighing 50kg, were discovered in the Yamalo-Nenets region in the Urals May last year.

“We’re planning to keep the mammoth for some 100 to 500 years, and a team of researchers is currently working on it,” said Bernard Buigues, vice president of the Geneva-based International Mammoth Committee.

He said some experimental technologies will enable this to happen. One such technique, according to Buigues, requires certain conditions, like keeping the temperature -18 degrees Celsius and filling the room with a special gas.

He said scientists will decide by autumn which conservation method will be used, and the long-lasting research is aimed at careful study of the unique find and looking for the best way to preserve it for as long as possible.