The Ice Age

In the 18th and 19th centuries, excavations were carried out in caves around England. In these caves they discovered the bones of some familiar animals; Hyena, lion hippopotamus, elephant, bison wolf and bear remains were all found.
But while it was known that bears and wolves had lived in Britain, the others were known only from Africa.

At the time most believed the bones had been washed to the caves by the flood described in the Bible.

Today we know these animals actually lived in Britain during and prior to the last Ice Age.

Bolton has a good collection of specimens from such sites, particularly from Creswell Crags and Kents Cavern

Hyena Dens

Bolton Museum has examples of bones that have been gnawed  by Hyenas during the Ice Age. These were found in British caves where it is thought the animal would have dragged it's prey to eat.

Mammoths

Mammoths lived in Britain around 150,000 to just 10,000 years ago. They would have ranged across the land, grazing the vegetation of open plain and tundra. At one time or another, depending on the temperature, they would have shared these lands with wild horses, various species of deer, bison, aurochs, woolly rhinoceros and reindeer. Hippos were also found in Britain at this time.

Early Man in Britain

The biggest threat to many of the animals of this time would have been humans. Humans were present in Britain at various times from around 700,000 years ago.