…Researched and contributed by Muyiwa Aderinto.
Unearthing an Ice Age Mystery: The Discovery of a 30,000-Year-Old Arctic Ground Squirrel
A peculiar discovery of a frozen, fur-covered lump deep within a mine in Yukon territory, northwest Canada, has led to an intriguing revelation about a creature from the Ice Age.
The Mysterious Blob: An Ancient Arctic Ground Squirrel
The mysterious blob was identified by palaeontologists from the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre as a 30,000-year-old Arctic ground squirrel.
The experts have named the creature “Hester”. It is believed that Hester curled into a tight ball while hibernating and subsequently froze to death.
Discovery and Preservation:
The Arctic-age creature was discovered in 2018 at Hester Creek in the Klondike gold fields, near Dawson City, a former gold rush outpost close to the Alaskan border.
The specimen is now set to be displayed at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre in Whitehorse, Canada, alongside other preserved Ice Age animals, such as a black-footed ferret, found in the same region.
Significance of the Discovery:
The well-preserved discovery of Hester and other Ice Age creatures in the area provides valuable insights into the prehistoric fauna of the region.
Arctic ground squirrels continue to inhabit Yukon and Alaska today, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.
The remarkable discovery of the 30,000-year-old Arctic ground squirrel named Hester offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into the ancient wildlife of the region.
The upcoming public display of Hester and other preserved Ice Age animals allows us to further appreciate and understand the diverse fauna that once inhabited the Yukon territory.
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