Wrangel Island, off the coast of Siberia, may have been the last place on Earth where this 2-word prehistoric mammal lived
On the January 30, 2026 episode of Jeopardy!, the Final Jeopardy clue offered a fascinating journey into prehistoric biology. Under the category “Mammals,” the clue read: “Wrangel Island, off the coast of Siberia, may have been the last place on Earth where this 2-word prehistoric mammal lived.” The response required knowledge of extinction timelines, remote geography, and Ice Age megafauna.
What Is the Woolly Mammoth?
The correct response to the clue was: What is the woolly mammoth? Known scientifically as Mammuthus primigenius, the woolly mammoth was a cold-adapted relative of modern elephants that roamed across northern Eurasia and North America during the Pleistocene epoch. With their long, curved tusks and thick, shaggy hair, these massive creatures were well-equipped for life in icy tundra environments.
While most woolly mammoths died out around 10,000 years ago due to a combination of climate change and human hunting, a small population managed to survive much longer on Wrangel Island. Isolated in the Arctic Ocean off the northeastern coast of Siberia, this remote island served as a final refuge for the species.
Wrangel Island’s Isolated Population
Wrangel Island is often cited as the final stronghold of the woolly mammoth. According to radiocarbon dating and other archaeological evidence, a population of mammoths persisted on the island until around 4,000 years ago—roughly 6,000 years after their extinction on mainland Eurasia and North America. This would place their survival into the early Bronze Age, when ancient civilizations were already well-established elsewhere.
The isolation of Wrangel Island likely protected its mammoth population from the threats that led to their extinction on the mainland, including human hunters and habitat loss. However, genetic studies suggest the population may have suffered from inbreeding and a loss of genetic diversity over time, which could have contributed to their final extinction.
Scientific Discoveries and DNA Research
Research into Wrangel Island’s mammoths has yielded valuable insights into the decline of small, isolated animal populations. DNA extracted from the remains of Wrangel mammoths shows evidence of multiple harmful mutations, a phenomenon known as “mutational meltdown.” These included defects in reproduction, development, and sensory perception, which likely impacted the animals’ ability to survive and reproduce.
This line of research has gained broader significance in the fields of conservation biology and genetics. Scientists have used the case of Wrangel Island to highlight the dangers of reduced genetic diversity in endangered species and the potential consequences of population bottlenecks.
Cultural Significance and De-Extinction Efforts
The woolly mammoth continues to be a subject of popular interest, often appearing in documentaries, museum exhibits, and discussions about de-extinction. With advances in gene editing technologies like CRISPR, some researchers have proposed recreating mammoth-like animals by modifying the DNA of Asian elephants, their closest living relatives. Wrangel Island’s well-preserved remains have been instrumental in these efforts, providing usable genetic material for sequencing.
While these de-extinction efforts remain controversial and are still in experimental stages, they underscore the enduring fascination with the woolly mammoth and its dramatic disappearance from the planet. Wrangel Island stands as a symbol of survival against the odds—and ultimately, the fragility of isolated species in changing environments.
Final Thoughts on a Mammoth Clue
The January 30 Final Jeopardy clue offered more than just a trivia challenge—it spotlighted one of the most remarkable survival stories in prehistoric history. Wrangel Island’s woolly mammoths outlasted their mainland counterparts by thousands of years, only to vanish within recorded human history. As research continues, their story serves as both a scientific case study and a poignant reminder of extinction’s finality.