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50,000-Year-Old Bison Named Blue Babe Was Served as Bison Stew at Dinner Party in 1984, Alaska

Meat stew with vegetable on rustic wooden background. Depositphotos.

In 1979, two gold miners in Fairbanks, Alaska, made an extraordinary discovery: the frozen carcass of a steppe bison.

The Significance of Blue Babe

baby blue
University of Alaska Museum of the North

This bison, later named Blue Babe, was identified as a steppe bison from the Pleistocene era, estimated to be 50,000 years old.

The Role of Dale Guthrie

Dale Guthrie. UAF Centennial.

Paleontologist Dale Guthrie led the excavation of Blue Babe, taking measures to preserve the carcass until the summer thaw.

The Unusual Culinary Experiment

blue babe
University of Alaska Museum of the North

Guthrie used some of the bison’s neck meat to prepare an ancient bison stew, providing a unique connection to the Ice Age.

The Recipe for Blue Babe Stew

Image credit: Travis via Flickr

The stew highlighted the preservation quality of Blue Babe and allowed for an unusual culinary exploration of prehistoric life.

Understanding the Pleistocene Era

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European bison (Bison bonasus) in natural habitat in winter. Image via Depositphotos

Blue Babe was a steppe bison, a species that thrived during the Ice Age but is now extinct.

The Predator’s Attack

Bisons
Image by Nick Dunlap via Unsplash

Evidence showed that Blue Babe died from an attack by a large predator, possibly an ancestor of the African lion.

Preserving Blue Babe

Bison
Image by Nicolas Petit via Pexels

Guthrie’s approach to preserving Blue Babe set a standard for handling similar discoveries in frozen environments.

The Bluish Coating

Big old bison in nature.
Big old bison in nature. Image by fotoluxstudio via Depositphotos

The blue hue of the carcass, caused by vivianite, led scientists to name the bison “Blue Babe.”

Insights into the Ice Age

European bison (Bison bonasus). Image via Depositphtos

Blue Babe provided detailed insights into the fauna, environment, and predator-prey relationships of the Pleistocene era.

Ongoing Research

Bison and its herd
American Bison forming a large group during breeding season. Image via Depositphotos

Blue Babe continues to be a valuable subject of study, contributing to our understanding of ancient ecosystems.

Public Fascination

bison
European bison (Bison bonasus) in natural habitat in winter. Image via Depositphotos

The discovery of Blue Babe captured public imagination and sparked interest in paleontology and ancient life.

Educational Value

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American bison. Image by Mike Beaumont via Unsplash

Exhibits and educational programs featuring Blue Babe help raise awareness about the Ice Age and the importance of preserving such finds.

The Future of Paleontology

American Bison.
American Bison. Image via Depositphotos

Ongoing technological advancements promise to uncover even more details about Blue Babe and other ancient creatures.

Conservation Efforts

American Bison
American Bison, Image created by Amy King using Midjourney

The discovery underscores the importance of conservation efforts in preserving not only current wildlife but also ancient specimens.

Conclusion

Bison
Despite their massive size, bison can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

The story of Blue Babe, the 50,000-year-old bison, is a fascinating journey from its Ice Age existence to its discovery in 1979 and beyond. This remarkable find continues to offer valuable insights and stirs public interest in the ancient world.

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