DILI, 22 March 2024 (TATOLI) – The fossil remains of Ichthyosaurs, the oldest bones ever found on Mount Lesululi in Bobonaro Municipality, Timor-Leste, are still subject to further study and examination by paleontologists. Meanwhile, authorities are considering a bid for Mount Lesululi to be declared a UNESCO-recognized Geopark.
The marine reptile fossils (Ichthyosaur bones) were discovered by the Instituto de Geociências de Timor-Leste (IGTL) team in 2020.
Following the discovery, a joint paleontological excavation was carried out by IGTL and several international paleontologists. The team behind this excavation includes contributors from the Oceans Graduate School at The University of Western Australia, Uppsala University, and the University of Oslo.
IGTL’s President, Job Brites dos Santos, said that to further confirm the identity of the fossils, IGTL collaborated with researchers and paleontologists from these universities and found that the fossils belonged to a marine reptile, the ichthyosaur, which swam 250 million years ago, when Timor-Leste was still underwater.
He said IGLT is considering submitting a proposal to UNESCO to designate Mount Lesululi and the surrounding areas as a Geopark in order to preserve the site.
Santos stressed that the designation of Mount Lesululi as a geopark is important to protect the fossils from the risk of land degradation caused by natural or anthropogenic factors.
He believes that if the area is designated as a geopark, it will attract more tourists to the country, including scientists, researchers, and paleontologists.
According to UNESCO, in order for an area to be recognized as a geopark, it must present geodiversity elements that are unique and important. In addition, for a site to be recognized as UNESCO Geoheritage, it must meet UNESCO requirements and criteria, including the size and setting of the area, management and local involvement, economic development, education, protection and conservation, and the Global Network.
The UNESCO Global Geoparks Designation was launched on November 17, 2015, and there are now 195 Global Geoparks worldwide. The program recognizes geological heritage of international significance.
Last year, IGTL conducted a socialization event for the local communities in Cailaco, Bobonaro Municipality, about the marine reptile fossils. The dissemination focused on the scientific importance, geodiversity and conservation, socioeconomic development, and community involvement.
This socialization served as a starting point for collaborations between scientists and the community, ensuring that these discoveries benefit both scientific research and local livelihoods.
The discovery of the fossil provides useful insight into the history of lives on the island from hundreds of millions of years ago.
TATOLI
