01/07/2025
In Yukon, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation, gold miners made a historic discovery — the frozen remains of a baby woolly mammoth estimated to be over *30,000 years old*. This remarkable find was made in permafrost, which helped preserve the mammoth in almost perfect condition. The local Hän-speaking people named her *“Nun cho ga,”* meaning *“big baby animal.”*
Nun cho ga is about *1.4 meters (4.6 feet)* long and is considered the *most complete woolly mammoth ever found in North America*. In fact, some scientists believe she may be the *best-preserved mammoth in the world*. Her body still has skin, a small trunk, foot pads, and even delicate features like *eyelashes*, which is extremely rare for such ancient specimens. Her internal organs are also mostly intact, providing an unprecedented opportunity for scientific research.
This discovery is helping scientists gain new insights into the *Ice Age*, including the environment, climate, and animal life from that era. By studying her *DNA*, researchers can learn more about extinct species and how mammoths adapted to extreme cold. Nun cho ga is not only a window into the ancient past but also a symbol of Indigenous heritage, science, and natural history.
