The remains of a mammoth were found in the norteastern Dutch province of Drenthe during gaspipe building works on Friday. The discovery was made in the Oranje Canal between the hamlets of Wezuperbrug and Orvelte. At a depth of four metres a tusk and two molars were found.

Mammoth remains were uncovered at the same location in 1991, possibly belonging to the same animal. It is not unique for mammoth remains to be discovered in the Netherlands. Usually they turn up in fisherman's nets or in soil dredged from the Northsea.

The last glacial period in the Netherlands ended about 10,000 years ago. Until then, summer temperatures varied between 1 and 10 degrees Celsius - ideal conditions for mammoths.

Mammoths (Photo: docukit.nl)