Remains of 'remarkably well preserved' baby mammoth unveiled by scientists

The creature was recovered by scientists from the Batagaika crater in Russia, a huge depression more than 80m (260ft) deep that is widening as a result of climate change.

He said the mammoth was probably a little over a year old when it died, but tests would enable the scientists to confirm this more accurately.

The fact that its head and trunk had survived was particularly unusual.

"As a rule, the part that thaws out first, especially the trunk, is often eaten by modern predators or birds," Mr Cherpasov said.

Last month, scientists in the same vast northeastern region - known as Sakha or Yakutia - showed off the 32,000-year-old remains of a tiny sabre-toothed cat cub.

And earlier this year a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass was uncovered.

-SKY NEWS