The Astrakhan Museum-Reserve was gifted three-meter mammoth tusks, discovered underwater by an amateur naturalist.

Mammoth tusks and femur found in one of the reservoirs Ikryaninsky district, at a depth of about nine meters, a nature photographer Alexey Podoprigorov and donated it to the museum-reserve. 

The remains discovered belonged to a male approximately 27–30 years old, who lived 127–115 years ago. The tusks were so heavy that they had to be transported to the museum. were required the strength of four people.

According to the paleontologist of the Astrakhan Museum-Reserve Mikhail GolovachevThe tusks were perfectly preserved due to their deep burial in the mud, without access to oxygen. Such conditions are typically found in northern regions with permafrost, but the unique situation here lies precisely in the preservation of organic materials in southern latitudes. 

"These aren't just bones; they are material witnesses to an era when giants walked our land. We are grateful to Alexey Podoprigorov for his commitment and generous donation to the museum. Now we face the task of carefully processing, conserving, and preparing these unique exhibits for display. They will become the crown jewel of our paleontological collections and will allow residents and visitors to the region to literally touch true antiquity.", — the director of the Astrakhan Museum-Reserve commented on the find. Alexey Bulychev.