The mammoths of Wrangel, a much larger island, survived for some 1,600 years longer and seem to have met a different fate. The other was from Wrangel Island and perished around 4,300 years ago, a few hundred years before the final extinction. The Oimyakon mammoth’s genome indicated an effective population size of 13,000 individuals whereas that of the Wrangel mammoth was a mere 300. St. Paul Island Pacific Ocean Arctic Ocean Wrangel Island ALASKA BERINGIA St. Paul Island Approximate coastline 30,000 to 15,000 years ago. A herd of Wrangel mammoths in moonlight might have shimmered like ghosts, but any compromise to their insulation would have jeopardized survival.

Source: New York Times March 02, 2017 18:56 UTC