Tusk being preserved at Parks Canada
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Dec 22/00) - Parks Canada officials are preserving a mammoth tusk found last summer in Ivvavik National Park in Yukon.
Patrol officers Mervin Joe and Herbert Allen heard of the tusk while on a regular rafting patrol along the Firth River
"A private group fished it out of the water," Joe said. "They notified us right away."
The tusk was taken by helicopter to Inuvik, where it has remained ever since.
"I thought about sending it down south to get it treated so it could dry properly, but it would cost too much," Allen said.
Staff wrapped the tusk in moss and plastic to get all the moisture out.
"If it dries up too fast, it'll really crack up and splinter," Allen explained.
"We take it out once a month to spread some rubbing alcohol on it."
William Hurst, heritage services officer at Parks Canada in Inuvik, said this is a rare find for this area, especially considering the tusk is fairly intact. The tusk measures 2.5 metres in length.
Hurst said the preservation is coming along well, and that eventually the tusk might go on display.
