Beginning about 5 million years ago, they were gradually replaced by modern elephants. The last two South American species, in the genus "Cuvieronius", did not become extinct until about 9000 years ago. "Stegomastodon" remains have been dated as recently as 6,000 years ago in the Valle del Magdalena, Colombia. Gomphotheres also survived in Mexico and Central America until the end of the Pleistocene.