Dad on hike with his kids uncovers rare dinosaur fossil — immediately calls paleontologist friend

When kids go hiking with their parents, they usually expect to see beautiful views or enjoy the journey. However, one family found something extraordinary while hiking in the Badlands of North Dakota in 2022. According to My Modern Met, a father and his two sons discovered a rare juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, as shared in a press release by The Denver Museum of Nature and Science on June 4.

The dad, Sam Fisher, with his sons, Jessin and Liam and their cousin, Kaiden Madsen, were on a hike when they discovered the remains of a dinosaur, according to the press release. Fisher said, "You just never know what you are going to find out there. You see all kinds of cool rocks and plants and wildlife," per PEOPLE. Though Fisher and his family were amused by what they found, they were careful with it. Fisher sent a picture of the fossil to his old high school classmate, Dr. Tyler Lyson, a paleontologist and a curator of vertebrate paleontology with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

The following summer, Lyson reached the spot along with the family and a team to excavate the fossil. Together, they were able to take out the remains of a teenage Tyrannosaurus Rex. The fossil has been called "Teen Rex" and is said to be between 12 and 14 years old when it died. Moreover, it weighed about 3500 pounds and was 25 feet long, which is about half the size of an adult tyrannosaurus.

Liam, Fisher's son, shared how they found the fossil. "I went up to a ledge with my dad and then he and I spotted the bones." "We called for Jessin and Kaiden and Jessin said, 'That's a dinosaur.'" Jessin said he had previously seen buffalo and cow bones and the dinosaur remains were huge. Dr. Lyson appreciated the kids for the discovery. He said, "By going outside and embracing their passions and the thrill of discovery, these boys have made an incredible dinosaur discovery that advances science and deepens our understanding of the natural world." "I'm excited for museum guests to dig into the 'Teen Rex Discovery' experience, which I think will inspire the imagination and wonder, not only in our community but around the world."

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science announced that the fossil will be up for public display as part of the temporary "Discovering Teen Rex" exhibition on June 21, reported 9News. Moreover, the museum will also be screening a 40-minute documentary called "T. Rex" on the same day. Dr. Lyson said, "I'm excited for Museum guests to dig into the 'Teen Rex Discovery' experience, which I think will inspire the imagination and wonder, not only in our community but around the world." The museum shared that it will be helpful for junior scientists and explorers. "The 'Discovering Teen Rex' experience will enhance educational programs at the museum to inspire the next generation of junior explorers and scientists. This new temporary experience will include a wide array of dinosaur fossils, including Triceratops and Edmontosaurus and a prep lab."

This article originally appeared 2 months ago.