Giant Lions Roamed Britain 13,000 Years Ago

In North America, lions 25% bigger than the African lions of today, lived just 13,000 years ago. DNA analysis had helped scientists determine that another breed of large lion (5-10% larger than today), known as cave lions, were also living in the UK at that time, just before the global cataclysm that wiped out many large mammal species.

About 13,000 years ago these species died out in a mass extinction. Figuring out the reason behind this, Dr Barnett said, was one of the last great scientific mysteries.

He said: “There are a couple of different schools of thought. It could have been climate change or something to do with humans. Humans could have been killing off their prey or killing the lions themselves.

“The extinction is a big question that remains unresolved. More research and more advanced genetic analysis may help answer it.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/7974948.stm

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