Wrangel Island, off the coast of Siberia, may have been the last place on Earth where this 2-word prehistoric mammal lived

On Friday, January 30, 2026, Jeopardy! challenged contestants with a compelling Final Jeopardy clue in the category Mammals. The clue took viewers deep into the Arctic region and hinted at the survival of a species long after its mainland extinction: “Wrangel Island, off the coast of Siberia, may have been the last place on Earth where this 2-word prehistoric mammal lived.” The clue invited players to consider evolutionary timelines, extinction patterns, and geographical isolation in the Arctic.

What is Woolly Mammoth?

The correct response was “What is woolly mammoth?” These iconic Ice Age creatures once roamed across Eurasia and North America in vast herds. While most woolly mammoths died out around 10,000 years ago during the end of the Pleistocene epoch, a small population managed to survive in isolation much longer on Wrangel Island, a remote landmass off the coast of Siberia.

Survival on Wrangel Island

Scientific evidence shows that a pocket population of woolly mammoths lived on Wrangel Island until roughly 4,000 years ago—nearly 6,000 years after their extinction on the mainland. This makes Wrangel Island the last known refuge for the species. The island’s separation from the mainland, caused by rising sea levels, created a natural sanctuary that shielded the mammoths from many of the environmental and human-related pressures that contributed to their disappearance elsewhere.

The mammoths on Wrangel Island were smaller than their mainland relatives, a phenomenon known as “island dwarfism,” which commonly occurs when large mammals adapt to limited resources in isolated ecosystems. Despite their continued survival, genetic studies suggest the population suffered from reduced genetic diversity, which may have contributed to their eventual extinction.

Extinction and Genetic Evidence

The extinction of the Wrangel Island mammoths is believed to have occurred around 1650 BCE. This date is notably close to the construction of Egypt’s pyramids and long after the mammoths had disappeared from the rest of the world. Scientists have studied preserved remains and used ancient DNA to determine that inbreeding, mutations, and dwindling numbers likely played a role in the final decline.

Researchers examining mammoth bones and teeth from the island uncovered signs of developmental abnormalities and metabolic issues, supporting the theory that a genetic meltdown may have been one of the final contributing factors to their extinction. There is no evidence that humans were responsible for the loss of this last mammoth population.

Legacy and Modern Interest

The woolly mammoth remains a symbol of Ice Age fauna and continues to be a subject of modern scientific fascination. In recent years, there has been growing interest in de-extinction projects, with researchers exploring whether ancient DNA from mammoths could be used to create hybrid animals through genetic engineering. These efforts, while controversial, demonstrate the lasting intrigue of this prehistoric species.

Wrangel Island continues to be a significant site for paleontological and environmental research. Its role in preserving the last of the woolly mammoths offers scientists a unique look into the dynamics of species extinction and survival in isolated ecosystems. The Final Jeopardy clue served as a reminder of how even in a changing world, nature can preserve remarkable chapters of history far longer than expected.