The expedition to the Commanders is completed

Following the analysis, a total of 32 samples were chosen from different parts of the skeleton, thought to originate from approximately 31 Steller’s sea cow individuals. These selected samples will be used for further research, including the isolation of ancient DNA and subsequent study to assemble the genome of this animal.

The samples were obtained both from materials stored in the Commander Islands National Park, local residents, the Aleutian Museum of Natural History, as well as newly found during the expedition.

Thanks to the scrupulous work of the national park staff, each of the samples that we will continue to work with has complete information about the time, place and other circumstances of its discovery.