Huge mammal find Results from bone tests due later this month Stabroek News January 10, 2000 Bones of the suspected prehistoric mammal found in the Mazaruni area have been sent to the United States (US) to undergo tests and the results are likely to be made available later this month. Dr Greg Mc Donald, a scientist working with the Idaho National Park, has returned to the US with bone samples of the animal, Kampta Persaud, manager - geological services of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) said. Persaud said when the age of the fossil and the state of the bones are determined recommendations on how to proceed will be made by the scientist. Initial observations have given rise to the view that the fossil may be as much as 50,000 years old and could be that of a giant sloth which lived in North, Central and South America in the prehistoric era. The GGMC official said the bones are very delicate and deteriorating parts of the skeleton may have to be reconstructed before it could be displayed. He described the discovery as the first of its kind in Guyana. A geologist in the employment of Omai Gold Mines Ltd came across the remains during the construction of a road in the area, he said. The fossil was uncovered some 18 months ago at West Kaburi, located in the Mazaruni, on the mining claim belonging to Mohamed Khan of Bartica. Khan said he was working in the area along with others adjacent to his claim when the bones of the animal were unearthed while digging a mining pit. Khan told Stabroek News he thought nothing of the find at the time but after it was brought to the attention of GGMC officials he realised then that the remains of a prehistoric animal might be on his mining site. The miner said from the appearance of the bones, it has to be a large animal. "I thought it to be a dinosaur or something," he stated. Khan described what appeared to him to be one rib as a 30 inch-long bone with a six inch-diameter. The front foot and shoulder were excavated and from the signs it seems as though the animal was about forty feet in length, Khan stated. The pit where the remains were found is located near the creek and is now covered in about eight feet of water, he disclosed. West Kaburi is approximately 84 miles from Bartica. Stabroek News was told by Deputy Commissioner of the GGMC William Woolford that all arrangements pertaining to the fossil have been handed over to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. This newspaper failed to get additional information despite repeated attempts to make contact with the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Keith Booker, on the subject during this week. (Andrew Richards) A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples