KAMPALA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan scientists have found a femur bone fossil of a giant animal, the hippo-sized anthracothere, believed to date back at least 19-20 million years.
The bone fossil was found in Uganda's northern district of Napak seven days ago, according to Sarah Musalizi, the principal conservator of museums and monuments at the Ugandan Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, who spoke to Xinhua by telephone on Thursday.
She said the scientists identified the type of the animal on the basis of the published research on anthracothere. "Research shows that this animal lived in an aquatic-like environment. It was hippo-like, but taller and longer in size."
"As we know, the Karamoja region, where the bone was found, is a semi-arid area. It seems that there were rivers flowing then, which we don't find now. The environment has changed, and we have to question ourselves what went wrong," Musalizi added.
The official said the discovery could inform the formation of new policies in line with environmental protection and is likely to lead to an increase in the number of tourists visiting the East African country.
"If you are a scientist, it is interesting to study; but for tourists, this is a marvel looking at a bone of an animal that lived millions of years ago," she said, adding that the bone they found was so heavy that she had to ask her colleague to help carry it.
The bone fossil will later be transferred to the country's national museum for further study.
