A wolf cub that was found mummified in northern Canada lived at least 56,000 years ago, scientists say.
Hidden in permafrost for tens of thousands of years, the female pup was discovered by a gold miner near Dawson city in Yukon province in 2016.
She has since been named Zhur, meaning wolf, by the local Tr'ondek Hwech'in people.
Scientists now say the pup, whose skin hair and teeth remain intact, is "the most complete wolf mummy known".
"She's basically 100% intact - all that's missing are her eyes," lead author Professor Julie Meachen, a paleontologist and professor of anatomy at Des Moines University in Iowa, told the EurekAlert! science news website.
Using a variety of techniques, the team was able to determine many aspects of the pup's life, from her age and diet to a probable cause of death.
![](https://www.myjoyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ancient-mummified-wolf-pup-in-Canada-lived-56000-years-ago.jpg)
The findings, published in the Current Biology journal on Monday, show the pup and her mother had eaten "aquatic resources", including fish such as salmon.
By comparing data from the wolf's DNA and an analysis of her tooth enamel, they found she was likely to have lived and died between 56,000 and 57,000 years ago.
X-rays of the body, meanwhile, found the pup was around six to eight weeks old when she died.
The study noted that while ancient wolf fossils are relatively common in the Yukon or neighbouring Alaska, mummies of larger mammals are rare.
![](https://www.myjoyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ancient-mummified-wolf-pup-in-Canada-lived-56000-years-ago-1.jpg)
"We think she was in her den and died instantaneously by den collapse," Professor Meachen was quoted as saying.
"Our data showed that she didn't starve and was about 7 weeks old when she died, so we feel a bit better knowing the poor little girl didn't suffer for too long."
Latest Stories
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
2 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
3 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
3 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
4 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
4 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
4 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
4 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
4 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
5 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
6 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
7 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
7 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
7 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours