The bestselling author of The Accidental Billionaires and The 37th Parallel tells the fascinating Jurassic Park­-like story of the genetic restoration of an extinct species—the woolly mammoth. “Paced like a thriller…Woolly reanimates history and breathes new life into the narrative of nature” (NPR). With his “unparalleled” (Booklist, starred review) writing, Ben Mezrich takes us on an exhilarating and true adventure story from the icy terrain of Siberia to the cutting-edge genetic labs of Harvard University. A group of scientists work to make fantasy reality by splicing DNA from frozen woolly mammoth into the DNA of a modern elephant. Will they be able to turn the hybrid cells into a functional embryo and potentially bring the extinct creatures to our modern world? Along with this team of brilliant scientists, a millionaire plans to build the world’s first Pleistocene Park and populate a huge tract of the Siberian tundra with ancient herbivores as a hedge against an environmental ticking time bomb that is hidden deep within the permafrost. More than a story of genetics, this is a thriller illuminating the real-life race against global warming, of the incredible power of modern technology, of the brave fossil hunters who battle polar bears and extreme weather conditions, and the ethical quandary of cloning extinct animals. This “rollercoaster quest for the past and future” (Christian Science Monitor) asks us if we can right the wrongs of our ancestors who hunted the woolly mammoth to extinction and at what cost?

"Describes the characteristics, food, habitat, behavior, and extinction of woolly mammoths"--

Discusses how mammoths adapted during their existence, when they inhabited the planet for than two million years in what is now Europe, Asia, and North America, and looks at the possible reasons that they became extinct.

Offers information on the discovery of the Jarkov mammoth in the Taymyr Peninsula, including a history of the prehistoric species.

A young freckled girl shows step-by-step how to give a bath to her pet woolly mammoth.

An exciting and engaging story about life in the Ice Age for Children

Describes what is known of the prehistoric ancestor of the elephant and their treacherous journey south for the winter.

An insider's view on bringing extinct species back to life Could extinct species, like mammoths and passenger pigeons, be brought back to life? In How to Clone a Mammoth, Beth Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist and pioneer in ancient DNA research, addresses this intriguing question by walking readers through the astonishing and controversial process of de-extinction. From deciding which species should be restored to anticipating how revived populations might be overseen in the wild, Shapiro vividly explores the extraordinary cutting-edge science that is being used to resurrect the past. Considering de-extinction's practical benefits and ethical challenges, Shapiro argues that the overarching goal should be the revitalization and stabilization of contemporary ecosystems. Looking at the very real and compelling science behind an idea once seen as science fiction, How to Clone a Mammoth demonstrates how de-extinction will redefine conservation's future.

Mammoths roamed Earth for more than two million years. They lived in Europe, Asia, and North America. Then ten thousand years ago, the mammoths vanished. What caused them to die out? Scientists are still trying to find out. In Woolly Mammoths, learn about how mammoths adapted to a changing planet and the possible reasons about how they became extinct.