Item #: SCP-7189
Object Class: Euclid Keter
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-7189 hibernation sites are continually monitored, but not disturbed. Known hotspots of SCP-7189 activity have been purchased by the Foundation front group the Society for Conservation and Protection and restricted to public access. SCP-7189 activity within these areas is monitored by drones and remote sensors. If Foundation personnel must enter these regions they should travel in armed groups of at least ten, wearing flint blades on their body, and remain in contact with at least one person with 4/7189 clearance or higher. If unauthorized personnel enter these areas or attempt to approach inactive SCP-7189 instances, they are to be terminated as soon as possible. Entering areas of SCP-7189 activity is authorized in this scenario. If personnel encounter SCP-7189, the unit is to be immediately debriefed. At least one staff member with 4/7189 clearance or higher must be present at the debriefing.
Alexandria.aic is currently monitoring global sensor and communication networks for signs of SCP-7189 activity, and MTF Gamma-4 ("Green Stags") has been assigned to follow up on potential sightings. Akiva and Kant counters have proven unable to detect SCP-7189 and should not be used in the field. Scantron Reality Anchors do not protect from SCP-7189 intrusion.
Known SCP-7189 cults are to be terminated or amnesticized as appropriate. Contacts of known SCP-7189 worshipers are also to be surveilled, and terminated or amnesticized at the earliest opportunity if found to be in contact with SCP-7189 instances.
SCP-561 is to be decommissioned once access to it can be regained. All Pleistocene organisms within are to be euthanized, incinerated, and stored at Reliquary Area-27. Flint blades are to be placed in each box containing their ashes. Access is restricted to personnel with 3/7189 clearance. Formerly extinct Pleistocene wildlife not created by SCP-7189 or SCP-561 (such as those that travel through temporal anomalies, are resurrected through necromancy, and so on) are to be euthanized and incinerated if possible. If not, Procedure Jaktorów is to be performed.
Description: SCP-7189 is a collection of theologic entities taking the form of extinct organisms from the Pleistocene era. Over a hundred instances have been discovered so far, individually designated SCP-7189-1 through SCP-7189-107. Instances have been encountered on every continent but Antarctica. Most SCP-7189 instances are mammalian, but many are birds or reptiles. Four are plants, and one is a previously unknown species of snail (tentatively identified as a member of Discus). Without exception all instances of SCP-7189 are unusually large for their species, but the degree varies with instance. Generally, smaller organisms display more pronounced gigantism than larger ones. The appearances of SCP-7189 instances are somewhat inconsistent between manifestations. While species is a constant, instances frequently display open wounds, partial necrosis or skeletonization, and translucence.1
Behaviorally, SCP-7189 instances are similar to their once-living counterparts. This has been verified by study of SCP-561 and the use of temporal anomalies. No signs of higher cognition have been reported, in contrast to theologic entities generated through human consciousness. During periods of activity SCP-7189 instances have been observed engaging in agnostic displays towards each other, courting closely related SCP-7189 instances, and predating on each other. SCP-7189 are unable to permanently harm or kill each other, and consumed instances usually manifest one to three months later. SCP-7189 instances appear unaware of their semi-necrotic nature.
When active, SCP-7189 are able to demanifest and remanifest, apparently without regard for distance. SCP-7189 occasionally uses this ability to travel between continents. However, SCP-7189 instances have never been found outside of their respective representative species' former range. In addition, SCP-7189 naturally avoid heavily modified landscapes and human populations. SCP-7189 instances will attack (and, depending on the species, may consume) isolated humans, however.
Instances of SCP-7189 begin to heal and display limited control over their environment as the worldwide population of their physical counterparts increases. At the time of discovery several instances, especially SCP-7189-42 and SCP-7189-113 had regrown substantial healthy tissue and were able to remain awake continually. Since the beginning of containment procedures their recovery has partially reversed, but they have not returned to full hibernation yet.
The Foundation's was first alerted to the existence of SCP-7189 on June 10, 2010 after several users of the Urban Exploration Resource forum posted that they had encountered an "undead rhino" while exploring the ghost town of ███████, Russia. Site-6 sent was alerted and managed to identify the users. It was determined that they had already told many of their friends and acquaintances about the encounter.
Interviewed: Mikkel Nordby, Ketil Dahl, and Astrid Hoey
Interviewer: Dr. Arild Soren (Cryptozoology Division)
Foreword: The three urban explorers were informed that Dr. Soren was a cryptozoologist and wished to speak to them. The interview was held at a house Site-6 maintains for interviews with civilians when apparent police involvement would be unhelpful. Prior to beginning, the interviewees were dosed with a very mild truth serum, dissolved in their water.
<Begin Log>
Dahl: Why the hell are you taking us seriously, anyway? Everyone else thought we were making shit up. I half thought we were making shit up.
Dr. Soren: There were three of you and you all saw it. I've learned to take even the most unlikely leads seriously. I didn't think Selma was real, but the fish finder sure showed quite the creature!
Nordby: You saw Selma?
Dr. Soren: Well, not saw, but they were definitely there. It's on my blog.4
[The three interviewees exchange slightly awkward looks. Dr. Soren clears his throat.]
Dr. Soren: Anyway, why don't you start with when you arrived at ███████?
Hoey: It was early morning. We used Mikkel's cousin's boat to reach the town. The skies were clear and the air was calm. Good conditions, if cold. We heard ███████'s docks were shit, so we beached on the shoreline. near the port. Must've spent a good four, five hours exploring the buildings—but you saw our posts about that, I guess. And that's not where we saw him.
Dr. Soren: Him?
Dahl: You notice the strangest things when dealing with adrenaline, that's all I'll say.
Hoey: We'd finished looking around in ███████ and were going to hike a bit uphill for the view. Ketil also wanted to look for wildflowers.
Dahl: And because I was the only one looking around, I saw him first. He was big, real big. Must have been two and a half meters tall. Despite being half rotten he was still majestic. [pauses] He had fur. Most of it was fallen off, but there were some really shaggy parts. And, uh. He was grazing. Wasn't doing a very good job of it, though.
Dr. Soren: How many horns?
Dahl: I didn't see, sorry.
Hoey: I think two, but I can't be sure.
Dr. Soren: What happened after you saw it, Ketil?
Dahl: I yelled, forget what exactly—
Nordby: Pretty sure you said that there was a big fucking rhino—
Dahl: Sounds about right. Anyway, then you two looked over and saw him too. But we only had a couple moments before he ran off. Couldn't even get my camera out to take a photo. After that we went back down and got back in the boat. Didn't want to stay there with whatever the fuck that was running around.
Dr. Soren: Which way did it go?
Hoey: Further inland. Didn't note anything but that. Did either of you? [Dahl and Nordby shake their heads]
<End Log>
Closing Statement: Witnesses were given targeted amnestics to cloud (but not remove) memory of the encounter and erase all memory of the interview. Their forum posts were subtly edited to make the sighting seem less credible and introduce subtle inconsistencies. Follow-up surveillance has shown that all witnesses have begun to doubt their own memories of the incident and react with embarrassment when the topic is brought up.
Access to the area was restricted under the pretense of a chemical spill. An operating base was set up at ███████, and MTF Gamma-4 ("Green Stags") was ordered to search the surrounding area for signs of anomalous wildlife. Initial explorations did not encounter SCP-7189, but camera traps were able to confirm the anomaly's presence and identify them as an unusually large wooly rhino (Coelodonta antiquitatis). They were given the designation of SCP-7189-1. A partially necrotic musk ox and feline were also observed, and tentatively identified as Praeovibos priscus (giant musk ox) and an unknown species of Homotherium (scimitar cat). These were given the designations SCP-7189-2 and SCP-7189-3 respectively.
SCP-7189-1 and SCP-7189-2 were observed to remain within a 10 square kilometer area (designed Area 7189-Alpha) and graze on desiccated plant material. SCP-7189-3 was usually observed hunting and occasionally pursued the other instances of SCP-7189. SCP-7189 avoided human presence but were frequently seen on camera traps.
By October, lack of hostile action on the part of SCP-7189 had led to the anomaly being declared Euclid and MTF Gamma-4 being reassigned to other duties. In the end of the year security presence was reduced, leading to researchers placing camera traps without escort. It was after security was relaxed that the first encounter between a member of the Foundation and SCP-7189 occurred, on May 10, 2012. This encounter has been subsequently classified as Incident 7189-1.
Incident 7189-1: At 13:46, May 10, Junior Researcher Helene Koppang radioed Outpost 6-7189 reporting that she had sighted a herd of musk ox due east of ███████. A connection to SCP-7189-2 was immediately suspected but could not be confirmed. Musk ox are not not usually found in the area. Jr. Researcher Koppang was ordered to observe the herd from a distance and report back every five minutes.
At 13:50, Site-6 staff decided to radio collar several members of the herd so their movements could be monitored, and ordered a helicopter launched to sedate the animals from the air so they could be fitted with transmitters.
At 13:56, Jr. Researcher Koppang radioed in, stating that one of the animals had begun to go into labor. She remained on radio. The helicopter was ordered to hold position to avoid disturbing the herd during the birthing process. The musk-ox finished giving birth at 13:59, and was observed to be unusually large and strangely proportioned. At 14:00, Jr. Researcher Koppang reported spotting SCP-7189-2 approaching the herd.
Despite SCP-7189-2's partially decayed nature, the musk ox herd did not display any fear or attempt to avoid it. SCP-7189-2 nuzzled the calf and licked it, then demanifested. Jr. Researcher Koppang took several photos of their interactions. These show SCP-7189-2 with slightly larger patches of healthy tissue than before.
After SCP-7189-2 demanifested, the helicopter was ordered to continue towards the herd, which maintained position. At 14:23, the helicopter arrived and tranquilized three of musk ox, including the mother of the calf. The calf was crushed by its mother during sedation. The helicopter crew retrieved it and took it to Outpost 6-7189 for treatment, but it expired en route. Dissection and genetic testing showed significant anatomical and genetic differences between the calf and musk oxen (Ovibos moschatus), and near identical morphology and genetics to P. priscus. The calf's corpse was designated SCP-7189-2A and placed in cold storage.
Three days later, the following video logs were recorded from a remote camera.
VIDEO LOG
DATE: May 13, 2012
NOTE: Due to the limitations of camera trap technology, this video log has been broken up into three second increments separated by one minute intervals.
[BEGIN LOG]
9:45:34: A herd of musk ox is grazing in front of the camera trap. Several are visibly pregnant. SCP-7189-2's left flank is visible but the remainder of its body is out of view. It has returned to the state it was in prior to the calf being born.
9:46:34: The herd continues to graze. SCP-7189-2 wanders into view and taps another male with its foreleg.
9:47:34: SCP-7189-2 begins to graze. Despite its dominant behavior it only chooses the least desirable plants, including some that are known to be toxic.
[LOG ABRIDGED; CONSULT RAISA TO REQUEST FULL LOG]
10:13:34: A pregnant female begins to go into labor. SCP-7189-2 looks up from the lichen it is grazing and walks towards the female.
10:14:34: SCP-7189-2 lays its head on the female's shoulder.
10:15:34: The female musk ox finishes giving birth. SCP-7189-2 begins licking the afterbirth away alongside the female, and begins to partially regenerate. The calf displays the same anatomical differences as SCP-7189-2A and is designated SCP-7189-2B.
10:16:34: SCP-7189-2 finishes partially regenerating.
[END LOG]
The similarity to SCP-561 was immediately noted, and MTF Gamma-4 and a research team were sent in order to investigate SCP-561 and the surrounding area for signs of SCP-7189 activity. Surveillance of Area 7189-Alpha was increased, but at the time the musk ox herd was not euthanized.
Addendum 1 — Investigation of SCP-561: The evacuation of ██████████, Saskatchewan took place rapidly enough that some records and artifacts remained in the town. While the Foundation seized medical and administrative records, it did not conduct an exhaustive search of the houses or the microfiche of the local newspaper at the time of the evacuation. Dr. Spencer Black, who led the SCP-561 team when the anomaly was first being investigated, assumed that police and birth records would be sufficient to identify the beginning of the SCP-561 effect.
The investigation's search of the microfiche discovered several sightings of 'a giant jaguar with leprosy'5 starting in the 1950s, and testimony from one hunter who claimed to have found the creature's den. Upon return, the animal was gone but the cave was littered with subfossil remains. All sightings were south of town, deep inside SCP-561's approximate area. The cave's subfossil deposits were not preserved, but Foundation paleontologists viewed the photos and believe the bones were moved into the cave over several thousand years. Some bones from the cave were retained by ██████████'s residents and left behind when ██████████ was evacuated. The most recent bones are too new to test with radiocarbon dating. The rest of the bones are prehistoric.
Starting in the 1960s, Pleistocene wildlife such as saber-toothed cats (Smilodon fatalis), dire wolves (Aenocyon dirus), and giant beavers (Castoroides ohioensis) began to be sighted south of town. All sightings were brief and in poor conditions. This led to the animals were misidentified as feral dogs, mutant cougars, and unusually large beavers, so the records of their existence were not noted when initially investigating SCP-561. At this time, domestic cats and humans gave birth to normal offspring.
By the 1980s, Pleistocene wildlife had begun to be seen farther north. Additional species such as short-faced skunks (Brachyprotoma obtusata) were observed, but misidentified as members of extant species. Sightings of SCP-7189 decreased during this period.
SCP-561 began affecting ██████████ by the 2000s. The first anomalous human birth was in 2003. There is some ambiguous evidence that domestic cats were affected prior to humans.
SCP-561's effect appears to have begun with only some species, and gradually expanded to others over time. Whether SCP-7189 was near ██████████ before SCP-561 began or were drawn to it once it reached a certain strength is currently unknown, but as SCP-7189 activity is positively correlated with population size of the relevant species it is hypothesized SCP-561 predated their current rise in activity. A proposal to reclassify SCP-561 as SCP-7189-Alpha was rejected on these grounds. As SCP-561 has gradually affected more species, it may eventually begin to alter avian, plant, microbial, and insect species. This is an unacceptable threat to normality.
Extensive searching by MTF Gamma-4 revealed no trace of current SCP-7189 activity. On suggestion of on site staff, personnel began euthanizing SCP-561 affected animals, with MTF Gamma-4 and a deployable Scranton Reality Anchor on standby. Five minutes after beginning, three SCP-7189 instances manifested and attacked the staff conducting euthanasia. All had almost entirely regenerated, and displayed a limited ability to manipulate their environment through phytokinesis and geokinesis. The Scantron Reality Anchor had no effect, and on-site Kant and Akiva counters did not detect anomalous readings. MTF Gamma-4 was able to repel SCP-7189 with sustained gunfire, but took causalties.
In the aftermath of the attack, Regional Director Dr. Atmos ordered all SCP-561 affected wildlife to be terminated. This order did not initially include Group N, but was later expanded to include them. However, locating Group N proved impossible. Friends and family reported [REDACTED] prior to disappearance. [REDACTED]. Area 7189-Alpha's musk ox population has been terminated. After the death of SCP-7189-2B, SCP-7189-1 through -3 displayed displayed signs of distress and disorientation. They became less active, and after three months of inactivity were found hibernating. Bullet wounds were visible on healthy areas of SCP-7189-2's flesh, and it had further decayed.
A full search of documentation for reference to necrotic Pleistocene wildlife was made by RAISA. Potential instances of SCP-7189 were found on all inhabited continents. Subsequent investigation would confirm most of these as SCP-7189 instances (see Supplementary Documentation 7189-1). Most appear to be in hibernation, and their resting places are under surveillance. No areas similar to SCP-561 were found.
SCP-7189 have been regularly sighted around Biological Outpost-561 since termination procedures have begun. Instances demanifest after exposure to sustained gunfire, but generally reappear within three days. Lone staff and small groups have been attacked by SCP-7189. MTF Gamma-4 has been assigned to assist in the termination of SCP-561 affected wildlife, but due to slow progress the use of poison is being considered.
Incident 7189-2: At 2:34 AM December 3, 2012, SCP-7189-4 manifested inside Biological Outpost-561's security perimeter and began attacking personnel. Three additional SCP-7189 instances were attracted by the confusion and tore down the security perimeter while Gamma-4 was neutralizing SCP-7189-4. Some staff fled the outpost and were attacked by SCP-561 affected and non-anomalous wildlife. Instances of SCP-7189 poorly controlled geokinetic and phytokinetic abilities further damaged the outpost and prevented their quick neutralization.
The commotion drew ten additional SCP-7189 instances, quickly overwhelming on-site security and Gamma-4. Sr. Researcher Spencer Black called for an evacuation at 3:01 AM. While much of Biological Outpost-561's vehicle fleet had been destroyed, remaining staff were able to fit inside usable vehicles and fled by 3:11 AM. The outpost's self-destruct protocol was activated at 3:15 AM, but failed to detonate. It is believed incidental damage sustained in the attack rendered it non-functional.
Evacuation proceeded in good order. SCP-7189 instances pursued, but were unable to match the convoy's speed. Most surviving personnel arrived at a Foundation safehouse by 6:06 AM. A few survivors who had attempted to flee on foot would trickle in over the next week. Total casualties, including MIA, came to 34.
A drone flyover of SCP-561 revealed that roads leading into the area had been washed out and overgrown. Subsequent expeditions by MTFs to Biological Outpost-561 have been repelled.
SCP-7189 and SCP-561 have been reclassified as Keter. Two ten meter high fences separated by a ten meter gap have been built around SCP-561's known area of effect, with guard towers, security cameras, and a kill zone. A cover story about military activities has been released. Missions to kill SCP-561 affected wildlife near the borders of the anomaly have been successful. Research on how to shrink SCP-561's area of effect is ongoing.
Addendum 7189-2 — Foundation Efforts Against SCP-561: Since loss of Biological Outpost-561, SCP-561's effect has expanded to include avian species. Affected birds, mostly eagles, give birth to Teratornis woodburnensis hatchlings. No other Pleistocene species have been observed. The SCP-7189 instance associated with the species has been spotted and designated SCP-7189-101. SCP-7189-101 is highly territorial and has attacked crop dusters spraying herbicide over SCP-561's area of effect, impeding neutralization efforts, and has shown a flight ceiling above the maximum altitude at which herbicidal spraying would be effective as well as rudimentary aerokinesis. Automated snipers have been placed around the new perimeter fence.
Prior to SCP-7189-101 manifesting, drone flyovers of Biological Outpost-561 showed that the ruins of the facility were being overgrown by vegetation at an accelerated rate, rendering it unfit for human habitation. Satellite photos have confirmed the same is true of ██████████.
Since MTF Gamma-4 began carrying flint blades into the field, no direct attacks by SCP-7189 have been reported and casualty rates have greatly decreased. However, SCP-7891's control over its environment has impeded MTF Gamma-4's ability to seriously dent the populations of Pleistocene wildlife within SCP-561. As of September 2, 2015, five separate incursions by MTF Gamma-4 have been turned back. Armed Biological Outpost-561 has been constructed to serve as a base for further incursions into SCP-561 and the eventual reclamation of the area.
Despite the difficulties, the populations of Pleistocene wildlife within SCP-561 have dropped slightly, and the Foundation has been able to reclaim 1.5% of SCP-561's former area.
Incident 7189-4: At 13:25, September 10, 2015, a vehicle in Armed Biological Outpost-561's parking lot exploded. Immediately afterwards, a previously unknown Way opened inside the outpost's security perimeter and three individuals stepped out. Before security forces could react they threw home-made bombs at the outpost's parking lot, radio tower, substation, and a guard tower. These bombs flew far and with unusual accuracy and are believed to have been anomalously augmented. These bombs inflicted only mild injuries, but did cause several million dollars worth of damage and a blackout and loss of communications that lasted until 14:23. A chaos star, the letters "ELF," and the slogans "Bite Back [sic]" and "Earth First!" were graffitied on several of the recovered bomb casings.
Personnel are reminded that SCP-7189 have sapient sympathizers and these should not be underestimated.
Attempts by SCP-7189 to damage the perimeter fence increased in the days following the attack. This did not allow for any Pleistocene wildlife to escape, but did lead to the deaths of 28 Foundation personnel.
Addendum 7189-3 — Increase in SCP-7189 Activity: As of May 10, 2017, anthropogenic materials within areas of heavy SCP-7189 activity decay at an accelerated rate. This rate is not so fast as to make modern equipment useless when entering zones of SCP-7189 activity (though equipment does suffer a much higher failure rate), but it makes remote sensors useless and forward operating bases impossible to set up. Biological Outpost-561 and ██████████ have almost completely turned to rubble (though the effect seems to target brick and concrete to a lesser degree).
SCP-7891 has been increasingly sighted outside SCP-561's exclusionary fence, and their activity has begun to degrade some areas of the fence. This has forced the Foundation to abandon some areas of the exclusionary fence in order to maintain containment. Additionally, a zone of heavy SCP-7189 activity in central Finland has manifested a similar effect as SCP-561.
