Scientists Revive DNA From Ancient Woolly Mammoth The extinct beast's remains were found in Northern Asia in 2010. It has since been named "Yuka" and is thought to be nearly 30,000 years old. The breakthrough occurred at Japan's Kindai University. Scientists say DNA from Yuka's muscle sprung back to life after being injected into mice cells. Cloning is still out of reach due to the cells not being able to divide. They say this is obviously due to them being frozen for thousands of years. Should the cells be able to divide, the team says cloning would be the next step. Kindai University, via statement