Prehistoric animal tracks found near Hay River, N.W.T.

A paleontologist has confirmed that a prehistoric animal left tracks across a rock ledge by Alexandra Falls near Hay River, N.W.T.

Donald Henderson, who is with the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alta., verified the tracks Monday after people in the community notified him about the impressions.

"Things like this, you know you have to go and check these reports because every once in a while it is a treasure," said Henderson.

He said at first glance, it doesnt look like much. But after looking more closely, he said it was obvious that they were tracks.

"Its amazingly consistent. If this was random erosion it wouldnt have that consistency. And theyre all pretty much in a line."

Henderson said the rock in which the imprints are found dates back 360 million to 380 million years. He said paleontologists know from other parts of Canada and the world that there were large fish around at that time.

"Some of them were monsters - up to like five to six metres long. And these fish also had very muscular limbs with actually bones at the base of their fins Its thought that these fish could move along in shallow water and prop themselves up. And I think given the type of rock and the time, the only animal that could have made these marks and be big enough would have been one of these large loped fin fishes," he said.

The tracks are all about 12 inches wide and eight inches long, and they are about four feet apart.

Henderson said the tracks are eroding quickly; he said he will be surprised if they are recognizable a year from now.

Henderson hopes to map out the tracks and make a latex peel to record the shape, size and position of the prehistoric prints.