70,000 Year Old Mammoth Fossil Found In Idaho

Idaho has quite a few old timers, but this fella is a true native!

Story from boiseweekly.com

About a month ago, I went to Jurassic Quest at the Idaho Center in Nampa. I know it was supposed to be for kids, but I've always been fascinated by dinosaurs! So, when I read that the fossilized remains of a 70,000-year-old mammoth were discovered near American Falls Reservoir last week, I got really excited!

The fossils were found in an irrigation drainage, about 30 feet below the reservoir high-water mark. Bureau Of Reclamation Upper Snake Field Office Manager Roland Springer said heavy rainfall in August, and the erosion that followed,  led to the discovery of a skull and a partial tusk. Experts say the mammoth was around 16 years old.

"We're very lucky to have recovered them," said Roland Springer, Bureau of Reclamation Upper Snake Field Officer Manager. "Had they not been reported to Reclamation, the fossils may have been eroded and carried away into the reservoir."

The skeleton was spotted by a fossil hunter earlier this month near American Falls Reservoir and was excavated by students and instructors from Idaho State University.

The Bureau of Reclamation want to remind folks that casual collection of fossils isn't permitted on state and federal lands. If you make a discovery contact the Idaho Museum of Natural History or the Bureau of Reclamation.