11-year-old finds 48-million-year-old turtle fossil in Wyoming
An 11-year-old boy, Touren Pope, made a remarkable discovery while on a family rock-hounding trip in southwest Wyoming in the fall of 2025. While exploring public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) near Rock Springs, Pope spotted a dark, rounded object that turned out to be the fossilized shell of a 48-million-year-old softshell turtle.
The turtle, named "Little Timmy" by Pope, provided a rare opportunity for paleontologists to study an ancient creature that lived during the Eocene Epoch. The discovery was critical, as the shell was nearly complete and remarkably well-preserved, offering valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem of the Greater Green River Basin.
After proper excavation and conservation, the fossil was transported to the Tate Geological Museum for further research and possible display. Pope's find emphasizes the importance of public-land rules for the protection of vertebrate fossils, which are considered part of the nation's scientific and cultural heritage. His story demonstrates how everyday citizens can contribute to preserving ancient history and inspire others to appreciate and protect the world around them.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
