The First International Mammoth Conference to be Held in Africa

For the first time, the International Mammoth Conference heads to Africa. This decision marks a historic milestone. Importantly, it reflects the continent’s deep evolutionary significance. In January 2026, the National Museums of Kenya will host the “International Conference of Mammoths and their Relatives” in Nairobi. Scientists, academics, researchers, and enthusiasts will gather from across the globe. Together, they will share new insights into mammoths, mastodons, and their extinct relatives.

Crucially, proboscideans first evolved in Africa. Fossil evidence suggests the first proboscideans evolved around sixty million years ago (Palaeocene Epoch). Therefore, this setting feels especially fitting. It places cutting-edge research back at the group’s evolutionary roots. Furthermore, two of the remaining extant elephant species are in Africa.  Many proboscidean lineages evolved in Africa.  For example, deinotheres (family Deinotheriidae) are thought to have originated in Ethiopia.  A favourite Deinotherium figure is the Eofauna Scientific Research Deinotherium model.

The Eofauna Scientific Research Deinotherium model. A fantastic prehistoric elephant replica. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The team behind the Eofauna range of figures have conducted extensive research into prehistoric elephants.

To view the range of Eofauna Scientific Research models: Eofauna Scientific Research Figures.

The International Mammoth Conference

The “International Conference of Mammoths and their Relatives” is held every four years.  The inaugural conference took place in 1995. This quadrennial international meeting brings together leading researchers in this field of palaeontology. Moreover, conferences like this matter. They help strengthen academic networks beyond Europe and the United States. They also inspire regional students and researchers. As a result, interest in the natural world can grow more evenly worldwide.

Ultimately, this conference celebrates science, collaboration, and Africa’s vital role in palaeontology.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We wish the organisers and everyone attending an enjoyable and most rewarding conference.  It is great to see that this event is being held in Africa.  Perhaps, the conference will lead to greater cooperation between African universities and museums and their counterparts in Europe and North America.”

For models of prehistoric elephants and other prehistoric animals: Prehistoric Animal Models.