Imagine a single fossil discovery so transformative it reshapes an entire scientific field. That’s exactly what happened in the Comox Valley, where an amateur fossil hunter’s find forever altered the course of paleontology in British Columbia. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could this discovery have remained hidden if not for the passion of a few dedicated individuals? And what does it reveal about the power of citizen science?**
In the late autumn of 1988, Richard Hebda, then the head of botany at the Royal BC Museum, found himself in the living room of Mike Trask, a Courtenay resident. Hebda had received a tip about an intriguing fossil find along the Puntledge River. Having previously been misled by reports of dinosaur ribs that turned out to be dirtbike tracks, Hebda wasn’t expecting much. Yet, this visit would prove to be a game-changer.
Trask had discovered something extraordinary—fossilized vertebrae that Hebda confirmed belonged to a large, long-extinct animal. Trask, an amateur fossil hunter, had made the find while exploring the river with his 13-year-old daughter, Heather. At the time, no significant vertebrate fossils had been documented on Vancouver Island, making this discovery all the more remarkable.
Hebda took samples to Betsy Nicholls, a paleontologist at the Royal Tyrell Museum, who identified them as belonging to an elasmosaur—a marine reptile from the late Cretaceous period, around 85 million years ago. This creature, with its small head and impossibly long neck, resembled the mythical Loch Ness monster. And this is the part most people miss: It was the first elasmosaur specimen found west of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, a discovery that would inspire a wave of amateur paleontologists and lead to hundreds of new findings across the province.
Trask, understanding the scientific value of his discovery, collaborated with Rolf Ludvigson, an invertebrate paleontologist, to excavate the site. In 1991, they recruited volunteers for a dig along the Puntledge River. Despite relentless rain and near-freezing temperatures, over 50 volunteers showed up, eventually unearthing nearly the entire skeleton. This effort sparked a passion for paleontology in the community, leading Trask to teach a course on the subject at North Island College.
One of his students, radiologist Joe Zanbilowicz, discovered another marine reptile fossil during a field trip—a mosasaur later named Kourisodon puntledgensis. This new genus and species, with its unique razor-blade-like teeth, further cemented the region’s paleontological significance. But here’s the kicker: These discoveries weren’t just scientific breakthroughs; they were the result of ordinary people driven by curiosity and a desire to contribute to knowledge.
Inspired by Trask’s work, the Vancouver Island Paleontological Society was formed in 1992, the first of its kind in the province. This led to the creation of the British Columbia Paleontological Alliance, an umbrella organization uniting professional paleontologists and amateur collectors. One of its key achievements was advocating for policies to protect B.C.’s fossils, including a ban on their commercial sale. Is this enough to safeguard our prehistoric heritage, or do we need stricter measures?
Trask’s elasmosaur became a symbol of this movement, and in 2023, it was designated as the provincial fossil of British Columbia. Yet, despite its significance, the specimen’s poor preservation prevented its formal description for decades. It wasn’t until 2025, when Trask’s twin brother, Pat, discovered another elasmosaur, that paleontologist Robin O’Keefe could finally name the species Traskasaura sandrae, honoring Mike, Heather, and Pat Trask.
Mike Trask passed away just two weeks after learning of this honor, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. As Hebda noted, Trask embodied the spirit of the citizen scientist, proving that curiosity and community can drive extraordinary scientific achievements. So, here’s the question for you: How can we better support amateur scientists in their quest to uncover the mysteries of our past? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
