Baby Mammoth Nun Cho Ga

Treadstone Gold's Historic Discovery: Mummified Baby Woolly Mammoth Unearthed in Yukon, Canada

In a groundbreaking discovery on June 21, 2022, Treadstone Gold, a mining company within Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Traditional Territory on Eureka Creek, Yukon, Canada, uncovered the mummified remains of a baby woolly mammoth. Dubbed "Nun cho ga" by Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin elders, signifying "big baby animal" in the Hän language, this remarkable specimen is believed to be over 30,000 years old, dating back to the ice age era.

Travis Delawski, a first-year employee operating an excavator with a ripper tooth, made the astonishing discovery at a depth of 50 to 60 feet into the permafrost. Initially mistaking it for an ancient bison, Travis soon realized he had unearthed the head of a woolly mammoth, complete with skin, eyes, fur and a trunk. Excavation halted immediately, and the find was reported to Brian McCaughan, an owner and foreman, who quickly reached out to Dr. Grant Zazula, the Yukon paleontologist in Whitehorse.

Preservation of Nun Cho Ga and The Significance of the Discovery

Preserving the delicate specimen became a priority. Nun Cho Ga was carefully recovered in two pieces, with Dr. Grant Zazula advising the Treadstone crew on preservation methods until a field crew could be dispatched. Wet blankets and tarps were used to shield the approximately 6 foot (plus trunk) 180 lbs mammoth, until Jeff Bond from the Yukon Geological Survey arrived from Dawson City for the recovery process.

The significance of this discovery cannot be overstated. Nun Cho Ga is confirmed as the most complete mummified woolly mammoth found in North America, making it one of the most significant paleontological finds globally. The cooperation between Treadstone Gold, the Yukon government, and the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation has been exemplary, with plans to collaborate on scientific research and traditional teachings to unveil the mysteries surrounding Nun Cho Ga's life and demise.