The following question has three parts. According to the article, what is a woolly mammoth and why are its tusks so valuable? What has made the mammoths' remains easier to find and collect? Why does this present a problem?
As an AI language model, I do not have access to the specific article referred to in the question. However, I can provide general information on the topics mentioned.
1. Woolly mammoth is an extinct species of elephant that lived during the Ice Age. Its tusks are valuable because they are made of ivory, which is a highly prized material used for carving and ornamentation.
2. The melting of permafrost and glaciers in regions where woolly mammoths used to live has made their remains easier to find and collect. Additionally, advancements in technology have made it easier to extract and preserve the remains.
3. The increased ease of finding and collecting mammoth remains presents a problem because it can lead to unregulated and unsustainable hunting and poaching of modern elephants for their ivory. It also raises ethical questions about the use and ownership of these ancient remains.
Step 1: What is a woolly mammoth and why are its tusks so valuable?
A woolly mammoth is an extinct species of elephant that lived during the last ice age. They had long, curved tusks that could grow up to 15 feet long. These tusks are valuable because they are made out of ivory, which is a sought-after material due to its durability and ornamental qualities. Ivory has been historically used for carving, jewelry, and various other luxury goods.
Step 2: What has made the mammoths' remains easier to find and collect?
The melting of the ice in Arctic regions, particularly in Siberia, has made it easier to find and collect mammoth remains. This is because the frozen ground, known as permafrost, acts as a natural preservation mechanism, keeping the remains intact for thousands of years. As the permafrost thaws, it exposes the mammoth remains, making them more accessible.
Step 3: Why does this present a problem?
The increased accessibility of mammoth remains due to melting permafrost presents a problem because it has led to an increase in the illegal hunting and trafficking of ivory. With the rise in demand for ivory, particularly from East Asia, there is a concern that the increased availability of mammoth tusks could potentially drive up the demand for illegal ivory. This could lead to the exploitation of the remaining elephant populations, as poachers may pass off newly obtained ivory as mammoth ivory, further endangering elephant species. Additionally, the removal and extraction of mammoth remains from their natural habitat can also damage the delicate ecological balance of the Arctic regions.