Russian scientists have revealed a perfectly preserved cave lion cub that lived between 20,000 and 50,000 years ago near the Tirekhtykh River in Siberia.
The cub was discovered on the bank of the Tirekhtykh River by a local resident, according to The Siberian Times.
The cave lion (Panthera leo spelaea) once roamed vast areas stretching from Europe to Alaska, crossing the Bering land bridge during the late Pleistocene. The species existed from roughly 300,000 years ago until it suddenly went extinct around 10,000 years ago. It is considered one of the largest lion subspecies ever to have lived.
The skeleton of an adult male found in 1985 near Siegsdorf, Germany, revealed a shoulder height of approximately 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) and a head-body length of 2.1 meters (6.9 feet), excluding the tail. Large individuals are estimated to have weighed between 317 and 362 kilograms (700–800 pounds).
The newly discovered cub is believed to have died at around two months of age. Researchers describe it as being in such exceptional condition that cloning may be theoretically possible. One scientist told the Siberian newspaper that its “perfect” preservation makes it a potential candidate for reviving the species.
“It is a perfectly preserved lion cub; all the limbs have survived. There are no traces of external injuries on the skin.”
“The preservation is so good that it raises hopes of cloning the species back to life.”
— Dr. Albert Protopopov, speaking to The Siberian Times