Fossilised remains of a ten metre long ichthyosaur – also known as a ‘sea dragon’ – have been found in a reservoir in Rutland owned by Anglian Water .
The 'sea dragon' dates back 180 million years, being the largest and most complete skeleton of its type found in the UK to date.
The discovery of the ichthyosaur at Rutland Water Nature Reserve has been described by experts as a “highly significant” and “unprecedented” palaeontological find.
Ichthyosaurs are marine reptiles that look like dolphins.
They were common in the UK until their extinction around 90 million years ago.
Palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax said: “Britain is the birthplace of ichthyosaurs – their fossils have been unearthed here for over 200 years, with the first scientific dating back to Mary Anning and her discoveries along the Jurassic Coast."
The skeleton was discovered by coincidence in February last year during a routine draining of a lagoon for re-landscaping.
The remains measure around 10 metres in length, which are longer than a double decker bus.
Its skull weighs around one tonne.
The remains took a team of palaeontologists two months to excavate last summer.
“Despite the many ichthyosaur fossils found in Britain, it is remarkable to think that the Rutland ichthyosaur is the largest skeleton ever found in the UK,” Dr Lomax said. “It is a truly unprecedented discovery and one of the greatest finds in British palaeontological history.”
Joe Davies, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said: “The find has been absolutely fascinating and a real career highlight."
“We recognise the significance a find like this will have for the local community in Rutland,” Anglian Water CEO Peter Simpson said. “Our focus now is to secure the right funding to guarantee it’s legacy will last into the future.”
Anglian Water said it is finding heritage funding to preserve the fossil and enable the public to view it on site in Rutland.
It is not the first time Ichthyosaur skeletons have been discovered at this reservoir in Rutland.
In the 1970s, two incomplete and much smaller ichthyosaurs were found during the reservoir’s construction.
