Mammoth Site May Become National Park
Published Dec 03, 2008
The 24 oldest citizens of the Heart of Texas would like to make your acquaintance.
These residents are Columbian Mammoths, along with a saber-tooth tiger, a tortoise and a camel, among the finds in a prehistoric site unearthed in Waco and believed to be some 68,000 years old.
The Waco Parks and Recreation Department, Baylor University and the Waco Mammoth Foundation Inc. are creating a museum on the property and pushing for the site to become a national park.
In 1978, a bone was discovered protruding from an eroding creek bank and reported to Baylor University’s Strecker Museum staff.
By 1990, 15 mammoths had been identified at the site.
Later digs led to discovery of 10 additional mammoths, a camel and a saber-toothed cat’s tooth. The foundation has been working to raise $3.2 million for the first phase of a plan to develop and protect the site.
Initial plans include a metal building for site protection, a catwalk for visitors, walkways, restrooms, drainage improvement and parking areas.
The National Park Service is in an initial review of the area for inclusion in the National Park System and is evaluating different scenarios, including taking full management responsibility for the site.
“We’re going to develop it where it will be conducive for people to come and enjoy,” says Rusty Black, Waco Parks and Recreation director. “There’s no other place like this in the world to see prehistoric animals.”
Story by Michaela Jackson
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