Unique pterosaur footprints stolen from Moroccan fossil site studied by Spanish scientists

Moroccan researchers have denounced the looting of the Mibladen paleontological site in central Morocco, reporting the theft of a large rock slab bearing unique pterosaur footprints. The slab, measuring 3.15 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, contained an exceptional trail of six pairs of footprints from these flying reptiles that lived during the age of dinosaurs.

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was cut with a rock saw and then stolen

The theft occurred in May, shortly after the publication of an international study co-directed by Spanish and Moroccan scientists. The study inadvertently provided the exact coordinates of the site, which then served as a map for fossil traffickers. Professor Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, a collaborator on the study, observed that half the slab was already missing and later discovered the other half had been "cut with a rock saw and then stolen."

Moussa Masrour, another project participant, described the situation as "very alarming and worrying" on Facebook, urging for the protection of Morocco's paleontological heritage. He noted that this case is just one example of the neglect many geological and archaeological sites suffer.

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this case is just one example among others of the abandonment that numerous geological and archaeological sites suffer

Despite the complete disappearance of the footprints, researchers had created a mold and a 3D model in 2009. However, Lagnaoui stated it "will never be the same as the original." The Mibladen site is significant as one of Africa's few locations with pterosaur tracks and the first documented in Morocco with such detailed, simultaneous limb markings. Scientists warn its loss is a major setback for African paleontology.

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it will never be the same as the original