In 1988, Guy Plint, an earth scientist, was engaged in sedimentary research in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., examining formations dating back 86 million years when he unexpectedly discovered tracks left by duck-billed dinosaurs. Nearly 40 years later, the region in northeastern B.C. has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark renowned for its rich collection of ancient fossils. Collaborating with a local paleontologist, Plint delved into the history of these tracks, which he revealed as the northernmost on record in North America, surpassing similar tracks found in southern Montana.
Recently, Plint and Dr. Charles Helm, a local paleontologist and physician, co-authored a new study on the tracks. Their research unveiled that the fossilized footprints originated from the Coniacian age during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 to 89 million years ago. Plint highlighted a significant transition in dinosaur species during this period, noting the shift from ankylosaurs to duck-billed dinosaurs as the predominant herbivores following the emergence of flowering plants as a food source.
The terrain in Tumbler Ridge during that era comprised a prehistoric delta and marshy surroundings adjacent to an inland sea, a landscape Plint was mapping during his 1988 expedition. These Coniacian age dinosaur tracks are the sole known ones in Canada, situated in a distinct area of Tumbler Ridge where terrestrial sediments have been remarkably preserved.
Their recent study documented the exploration of five sites between 2022 and 2025, resulting in the recovery and curation of five individual tracks now housed in the Tumbler Ridge Museum. The research paper described these tracks as offering a unique glimpse into a flourishing dinosaur community. Eamon Drysdale, the museum’s resident paleontologist and curator, emphasized the significance of these tracks in understanding the evolutionary transition of dinosaur species during the Cretaceous period.
Efforts have been made to safeguard the tracks discovered by Plint and Helm to prevent any potential damage. Drysdale highlighted the importance of such findings in bridging the gap in the fossil record between different dinosaur species, shedding light on the evolution of dinosaurs during that era.