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PETALING JAYA: Paleontologists from the Universiti Malaya (UM) have discovered the fossil of a stegodon, an extinct elephant, in a limestone cave in Gopeng, Perak.
It is the first stetegodon fossil discovered in Malaysia, with an approximate geological age of between 30,000 and 80,000 years.
Lead researcher Dr. Ros Fatihah Muhammad of the UM Department of Geology, and vertebrate paleontologist and zooarcologist Lim Tze Tshen of the Malaysian Paleontological Society were the scientists behind the discovery.
Ros said the discovery was made possible thanks to information from the cave settler group, Kinta Valley Watch, as well as his team’s survey and research.
“Studies so far show that the remains of this stgodon are not associated with ancient humans.
“However, this study is still very important as it is related to the history of ancient fauna migration and also to environmental changes in the Southeast Asian region,” he said.
According to Lim, who was the one who identified the fossil as a stegodon, the imaging process carried out by Professor Dr. Norliza Ibrahim and Dr. Mohd Azmi Abdul Razak of the UM School of Dentistry discovered that the fossil was probably a stegodon of less than two years. old.
“There is evidence from the discovery site of this stegodon and other paleontological sites that show the existence of remains of extinct animals in Peninsular Malaysia such as orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, Javanese rhinos, Asian black bears and a rat known to have become extinct from the planet “said Lim.
Congratulating the researchers, UM Chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim said the discovery was a milestone in the field of quaternary paleontological studies in Malaysia.
“Well done and congratulations to Dr. Ros Fatihah and her team, who have made us proud!
“So far, only two Masters of Medicine have been awarded in this field. The first was for fossils and paleoecology of large mammals, while the second was for fossils and paleoecology of rats. “
Rahim also expressed appreciation to the Perak Menteri Besar Office, the Perak Department of Minerals and Geosciences, and the Perak State Parks Corporation for cooperating and providing support for further studies to be conducted at the research site.
“I hope that this cooperation will continue for several studies in the future.”
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