Ludovic Lainé has a long-standing relationship with Siberia. In an earlier part of his career he accompanied affluent travelers throughout the region and as far as the volcano summits of Kamtchatka. His knowledge of Yakutia and relationships in the region resulted in his commissioning of various events including the organization of a documented expedition on behalf of Canal+.

Ludovic Lainé and Bernard Buigues met in 2005 when Ludovic was advising the government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) on various matters relating to their natural, cultural, and scientific heritage. Working with a former conservator in chief of heritage from the Museum of Natural History of Paris he led the conservation of the remains of the Yukagir Mammoth, an 18,000 year-old mammoth that had been discovered in 2003 in Yakutia. The process put in place was to ensure optimum conditions of conservation of the remains of the specimen during storage, transportation, and display in exhibitions. The Yukagir Mammoth, which was a main attraction at the 2005 Aichi World Expo (drawing over 7 million visitors), is part of the unique specimens in the portfolio of fossils discovered thanks to mammuthus.

In 2009, at the invitation of Bernard Buigues, Ludovic Lainé engaged in assisting mammuthus with its strategic development, international relations, and fundraising efforts.