ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, France, is hosting an exceptional exhibition: a nearly complete skeleton of a pliosaur, a giant marine reptile from the Jurassic period. The skeleton, measuring approximately 15 meters in length, was discovered in the UK and will be on display at the zoo from May 23 to June 1, 2026, before being auctioned by Aguttes auction house in Lyon on June 4.
The pliosaur, a formidable predator that lived around 150 million years ago, is one of the largest marine reptiles ever found. The skeleton is estimated to fetch between β¬400,000 and β¬600,000 at auction. Beauval's director, Rodolphe Delord, stated that the exhibition aims to educate the public about paleontology and the history of life on Earth.
Visitors to Beauval will have the rare opportunity to see the skeleton up close, alongside the zoo's famous giant pandas and other animals. The auction house Aguttes, which specializes in natural history items, confirmed that the skeleton is one of the most complete pliosaur specimens known.
