Eight (8) participants including Kronosaurus Korner Curator, Mr. Paul Stumkat have been excavating what is now confirmed to be an Ichthyosaur, platypterigius longmani since Tuesday this week near Richmond in North West Queensland.

Ichthyosaurs were large dolphin-like reptiles that lived in the Cretaceous Inland Sea, 100 million years ago.

What was hoped to be one of the most complete skeleton of this species ever found was short lived when on day one of the dig it was confirmed that something terminal had happened to this particular animal. Paul Stumkat, Curator of Kronosaurus Korner said, ‘the ichthyosaur had half its body missing suggesting it was taken by a large predator’. 

Paul said, "Participants on the dig speculated as to its fate - thieves, birth deformities or victim of the giant voracious marine carnivore Kronosaurus queenslandicus. The Kronosaurus was a massive predator and is our museum’s namesake. In the words of the museum’s founder, Rob Ievers, Kronosaurus would have eaten a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-rex) for dinner."  

Paul went on to say, "As we preceded towards the middle of the torso the vertebrae suddenly ended. It was as if the animal was sliced in half. Areas around the specimen were carefully checked in case there were scattered remains, but there was no evidence of the animal’s rear half." 

The skeleton of this animal has been expertly removed from the field and taken back to the Kronosaurus Korner laboratory for further study and preparation. It will be carefully checked for bite marks to see if it can be confirmed how this magnificent marine reptile met its demise. 

Michelle Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Shire Council said, "It will make an important contribution to our new 250 m square gallery that is soon to be home to a Richmond Kronosaurus specimen returning from Queensland Museum."

Participants have enjoyed a five day dig in Richmond and there is another dig scheduled for 22 – 26 June.  For more information contact Kronosaurus Korner on 1300 KRONOK or www.kronosauruskorner.com.au