Reuters News
Drone footage reveals ‘sea dragon’ fossil discovered in Britain
VIDEO SHOWS: DRONE AND TIMELAPSE FOOTAGE AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF A 10 METRE LONG ICHTHYOSAUR FOSSIL BEING UNEARTHED / PALAEONTOLOGISTS UNEARTHING FOSSIL / MOVING FOSSIL
The fossilised remains of an ichthyosaur have been found in England’s Midlands, the largest and most complete of its kind discovered in the UK, according to a news release issued by Anglian Water.
Ichthyosaurs were large marine reptiles similar in shape to dolphins but grew up to lengths of 25 metres.
The 10-metre long fossil was discovered in February 2021 in Rutland Water and is thought to be 180 million years old.
A conservationist at Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, Joe Davis, found the ichthyosaur during a routine draining of a lagoon island for re-landscaping.
”The find has been absolutely fascinating and a real career highlight, it’s great to learn so much from the discovery and to think that this amazing creature was once swimming in seas above us,” Joe said.
Known as sea dragons due to having large eyes and teeth, Ichthyosaurs went extinct around 90 million years ago.
The text, photographs, video, graphics, metadata, quotes, data, information, and all protectable intellectual property available through the this website is the property of Reuters and its licensors. It is provided by Reuters and its licensors to you for your personal use and information only. You may not use the Content or Service for any commercial purpose. You acknowledge that by accessing and using this the service, you agree to be legally bound by and hereby consent to these terms of use and the privacy policy. Learn more in https://www.reutersagency.com/en/about/brand-attribution-guidelines/