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20-Million-Year-Old Whale Fossil Unearthed at Ocean Grove

2/27/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A 20-million-year-old whale fossil was excavated at Ocean Grove Beach, Victoria after a family discovered it.
The fossil is encased in a one-tonne sandstone block, making it among Australia's largest whale fossils.
Paleontologists were alerted by the family and quickly extracted it as the tide rose.
Dr. Erich Fitzgerald, a paleontologist, noted the fossil could yield insights into whale evolution and it was moved to Melbourne for further study.

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Story summary

A 20-million-year-old whale fossil was excavated at Ocean Grove Beach, Victoria after a family discovered it.
The fossil is encased in a one-tonne sandstone block, making it among Australia's largest whale fossils.
Paleontologists were alerted by the family and quickly extracted it as the tide rose.
Dr. Erich Fitzgerald, a paleontologist, noted the fossil could yield insights into whale evolution and it was moved to Melbourne for further study.