Photo/Illutration The Paleoparadoxia’s whole-body skeleton is discovered in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, on June 10. The part seen in the front right is believed to be the head. (Hiroto Motoi)

MIZUNAMI, Gifu Prefecture--A fossil believed to be the bones of the extinct marine mammal Paleoparadoxia was found in the Tokigawa river here on June 10.

The Mizunami Fossil Museum, the city’s fossil museum, unearthed more than 80 percent of the skeleton, including the head. It is reportedly rare to excavate almost the complete form of the ancient creature. 

“I can’t still get over how excited I got when I saw the head bone,” said Yusuke Ando, 39, curator at the museum.

A resident found the fossil of the creature on June 5 while cleaning a riverbed in the Kamadocho district in the city. The back side of the body at a length of about 1.8 meters, including the hip bone and ribs, was exposed. The backbone was still connected.

The museum believed the head and other parts of the body would be buried. The staff of the museum dug the fossil out by using a large drill and other tools on June 10. The fossilized form is estimated to be 2 meters to 2.5 meters long.

Paleoparadoxia, which means mysterious ancient creature, lived in the period between 28 million years ago and 11 million years ago. It is thought to be similar to a dugong, though its diet and other details remain unknown.

When more than 50 percent of fossil bones are found, it is called a whole-body skeleton.

More than six whole-body skeletons have been found so far across Japan, such as in Saitama and Fukushima prefectures, but it is believed to be the first time for a skeleton more than 80 percent complete to be discovered.

“I would like to spend about two years cleaning the discovered fossil, then show it to the public,” Ando said.

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