A fossil of an elephant was found from the Siwalik sediments exposed in the area of Badshahi Baug in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur.
The fossil is said to be five to eight million years old and is from the Dhok Pathan formation of Siwalik range.
VK Jain, Chief Conservator, Saharanpur told, “We have found a fossil of a stegodon, a variety of the elephant which used to be found at an early age. The fossil is from Dhok Pathan formation of Siwalik. The estimated age of the specimen may range from five to eight million years.” Jain stated the fossil was found a week before but only after verification from Wadia Institute they were able to declare the found specimen a relic.
He said, “We have consulted the Wadia Institute and a scientist told us that this fossil is a middle-age deposition. This is the first fossil of its kind and we would like to preserve the fossil and increase our research because if the fossil is found, there is a possibility that we would be able to find more too.” Jain further said, “It is a huge achievement for us and we would like to increase the number of scientists in the study to discover more fossils.”