Petition launched to save sea dragon display plan

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A campaign to have a giant fossil known as the Rutland sea dragon brought to a local museum has been launched after plans for its display were shelved due to cost concerns. The ancient Ichthyosaur fossil was found buried beneath Rutland Water in 2021. Rutland County Council had intended to display the 180-million-year-old marine reptile at the Rutland County Museum in Oakham as part of a £6m project, but has now decided it cannot go ahead with that part of the project. A petition has now been started by the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle. Paul Trevor, from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, who first made the discovery, told BBC Leicester why he'd love to see it back in the county, and MP for Rutland and Stamford, Alicia Kearns spoke to Ady Dayman. Rutland County Council said it allocated around £6million of council funding in its latest budget to bring the Sea Dragon remains to Rutland and put it on display at the County Museum but as the increased cost, liabilities and risks that come with conserving and housing the Sea Dragon are now much bigger, it could no longer afford to acquire the fossil itself. An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed by the recent decision taken by Rutland County Council regarding the future arrangements for the Rutland Sea Dragon" as "significant progress was made over an agreement to transfer it at no cost to the Council". Image: Anglian Water