Tapir specimen found at Gray fossil site

Tapir specimen found at Gray fossil site

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GRAY (AP) -- Researchers are examining a complete juvenile tapir specimen found at the Gray Fossil Site and Natural History Museum.

It was covered in plaster Wednesday for transportation to the lab inside.

The specimen, found in August, is estimated at 4.5 to 7 million years old.

Museum officials say they hope the find will shed light on the behavior of young tapirs, such as what they ate and what may have preyed on them.

According to the Kingsport Times-News, researchers said such a discovery is very rare because the bones of babies are more brittle and typically don't survive fossilization.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Tapir specimen found at Gray fossil site

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