One of the most important fossil discoveries has come out of Toolebuc Station, about 400 kilometers north-west of Longreach in western Queensland. A nearly-complete Ichthyosaur fossil has been recently discovered. It’s widely considered one of the most complete examples ever discovered on Australian shores, offering a unique window into the diverse marine ecosystem that flourished in the area nearly 100 million years ago. The fossil ‒ an impressive 7.1 meters long ‒ is one of the largest and most complete examples of the Platypterygius australis species.
In 2023, local fossil enthusiast Cassandra Prince made a titanic find. While she was enacting a favorite pastime of young Australians—practicing the advanced hunting technique known as “emu bobbing”—she noticed a small bone lying on the ground. This technique includes going out and searching on foot to find the rocks best suited to containing fossils. Her discovery turned into her family uncovering the skeleton in 2024.
Mr Elliott, founder of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum at Winton, said it was an extraordinary find. He focused attention on Prince – and her family’s – commitment. After years of tireless advocacy, their hard work has opened up an amazing opportunity to learn about a part of Australia’s rich prehistory.
The Excavation Process
After the first discovery of the new skeleton, Cassandra Prince and her family went deeper into excavating the skeleton. They spent an impressive four months on this painstaking work. They painstakingly extricated the fossil, which now holds the distinction of being the first intentional contribution to paleontological research in Australia.
“To have this much of a marine reptile, of an ichthyosaur from this area, is extremely rare,” said Mr. Elliott. The excavation process was careful and painstaking, essential to keeping the quality of the fossil in its nearly-complete condition. This measured approach provides an opportunity for additional testing and evaluation.
The fossil has since been transported to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum, where it will be extensively prepared. Volunteers will spend their entire summer months working to prepare the specimen for exhibition. Mr Elliott said it was an honour to share such an amazing piece of Australia’s natural history. They are looking forward for all visitors to enjoy it in the decades ahead!
Future Research Directions
Paleontologists are especially excited to understand more about what the Ichthyosaur’s lifestyle and diet may have been like. Dr. Knutsen is most excited at the possibility of analyzing the fossil’s stomach contents. Such an investigation could reveal important clues, including their diet, that these ancient marine reptiles once ate while they reigned over the shallow, warm inland sea that was western Queensland.
“Perhaps some stomach contents can tell us more specifically about, here in Queensland, what these things were eating,” Dr. Knutsen noted. This type of investigation has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of the ecological dynamics of that time.
Dr. Knutsen additionally pointed to the possibility of more major finds in outback Queensland. He remarked on the importance of local collectors and landholders who actively search for fossils, stating, “It’s just a matter of putting in the time to go on the ground and look, which these local collectors and landholders are doing.”
The Significance of the Find
This extraordinary Ichthyosaur fossil tells an incredible story and represents a new flagship paleontological discovery. It shows just how necessary community advocacy is to pushing science forward. The Prince family’s commitment to this cause is a national model for how generous local support can make significant contributions to our understanding of prehistoric life possible.
We’re just scratching the surface of these huge, new lands, and we’re bound to find many more fossils. One thing we think we know hitting home Dr. Knutsen further solidified this notion, stressing how much is yet to be found under Australia’s grey crusty veneer.
