MAMMOTH REMAINS FOUND IN THE DANUBE RIVERBED

SOFIA, JULY 29 /SRNA/ - Remains believed to belong to a mammoth have been discovered in northern Bulgaria after the water level of the Danube River fell to a record low, the BTA news agency reported, citing historians.

The animal remains were found today by a resident of the village of Ryahovo, who noticed something unusual in the riverbed.

The residents then informed experts at the Regional History Museum in the nearby city of Ruse.

Museum Director Nikolay Nenov told BTA that experts sent to the site identified a lower jaw, two tusks and a possible mammoth rib, and that the bones would be removed tomorrow for further examination to accurately determine the origin and age of the remains.

He said that it had long been believed that this site was a swamp where the animal had probably died several thousand years ago.

"I would not call it a sensation, but every discovery of such ancient remains is very important for science," Nenov said.

The water level of the Danube has fallen to a record low in recent weeks following prolonged heat and drought that have affected rivers across Europe, including key waterways such as the Rhine.