**Arctic Discovery Rewrites Ancient Animal Migration History with New Rhinoceros Species**

**OTTAWA, CANADA** – Scientists from the Canadian Museum of Nature have announced the discovery of a new species of rhinoceros, *Epiatheracerium itjilik*, in the Canadian Arctic. The fossilized remains, dating back 23 million years, represent the most northerly rhinoceros ever found, fundamentally reshaping current understanding of ancient animal migrations between Europe and North America.

This groundbreaking find challenges the long-held belief that the North Atlantic Land Bridge (NALB) ceased to be a viable route for animal crossings approximately 50 million years ago. The discovery of *Epiatheracerium itjilik* suggests that rhinoceroses, and potentially other large mammals, utilized this bridge at least 20 million years later than previously thought, implying a more extended or later period of intercontinental dispersal.

The exceptional preservation of the rhinoceros skeleton, attributed to the unique conditions of the Arctic permafrost, allowed for an unprecedented scientific breakthrough: the recovery of ancient proteins. These proteins are ten times older than the oldest known DNA, offering invaluable new perspectives on mammalian evolution and the biochemical history of life.

The species name, *Epiatheracerium itjilik*, was chosen in collaboration with an Inuit elder, honoring its Arctic origin and reflecting the museum’s commitment to involving Indigenous communities in scientific research. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of traditional knowledge in understanding and interpreting significant discoveries.

Beyond its scientific implications for paleontology and evolutionary biology, the discovery also highlights the growing threat of climate change to Arctic fossil sites. The thawing permafrost, while enabling such discoveries, simultaneously jeopardizes these irreplaceable natural archives, emphasizing the urgent need for research and conservation efforts in the region.