‘Nessie’ arrives at Beauval: a giant of the seas waiting to be discovered!
From 28 May to 26 June 2026, the ZooParc de Beauval, in collaboration with Maison Rouillac, will be hosting a guest measuring almost 9 metres in length: an exceptional Elasmosaurus skeleton. Nicknamed “Nessie” for its resemblance to the famous Loch Ness monster, this marine predator is being unveiled to the public ahead of a historic auction.
Imagine a majestic reptile, with an enormous neck, gliding silently through the deep blue sea 66 million years ago. This specimen of Elasmosaurus sp., discovered in 2021 in the phosphate deposits of the Khouribga Basin in Morocco, is a miraculously preserved relic of the Mesozoic era.
By exhibiting this rare Elasmosaurus specimen, the ZooParc de Beauval offers its visitors a breathtaking journey into the history of our planet.
The king of the sea in the age of the dinosaurs
Although it lived alongside the dinosaurs, the Elasmosaurus was not one. This reptile belongs to the group of plesiosaurs, the undisputed masters of the oceans. A true ‘aquatic traveller’, it was capable of undertaking long migrations, probably to follow its prey. Like today’s whales, it would return to the coast and shallow lagoons to keep its young safe, using these havens of peace as veritable nurseries.
From the ‘Bone Wars’ to the legend of Loch Ness
The story of the Elasmosaurus is also one of famous rivalries. Its description in 1868 was one of the most heated episodes of the ‘Bone War’ between the scientists Cope and Marsh. As a side note, Cope, baffled by the animal’s anatomy, had initially reconstructed a skeleton by placing its skull at the end of its tail! A mistake that his great rival, Marsh, was quick to use to discredit and publicly humiliate him.
Today, its silhouette immediately brings to mind the Loch Ness Monster. This parallel between science and the imagination makes “Nessie” a fascinating collector’s item, inspiring wonder in young and old alike.
A witness to the past to protect the future
Why display such a giant amongst the pandas, gorillas and lions? For ZooParc de Beauval, the link is clear: understanding past biodiversity helps us better protect today’s. Whilst the Elasmosaurus became extinct during the fifth mass extinction, new threats now hang over many species.
Admiring this skeleton brings home the fragility of life and the importance of current conservation efforts.
Event: attend the auction on 21 June
The highlight of this exhibition will take place on Sunday 21 June 2026, Father’s Day. Under the gavel of auctioneer Aymeric Rouillac and with the expertise of Dr Frederic Lacombat, this giant of the seas will be put up for public auction at ZooParc de Beauval.
From 4.30 pm, registered attendees will be able to attend a short talk and a presentation by Beauval Nature, before the auction begins at 5 pm. An impressive mosasaur skull will also be offered for sale.
Book my tickets for the auction (in French)
Admission from €5: all proceeds will be donated to the Beauval Nature association for the protection of endangered species.
If you wish to attend the auction only without visiting the ZooParc, a park entry ticket will not be required.
Why come?
This Elasmosaurus’s stay at Beauval is a fleeting opportunity. This specimen, preserved almost entirely in its original state, offers a rare chance to admire the natural elegance of a large predator from the Late Cretaceous period.
Don’t miss this extraordinary encounter. Come and admire ‘Nessie’, and help protect today’s endangered species through your donation.
Key information:
- Exhibition dates: 28 May to 26 June 2026.
- Exhibition venue: Hippopotamus Reserve (no. 92 on the map).
- Auction: Sunday 21 June 2026 at 5pm.
- Admission to the auction: Donation of €5 or more to Beauval Nature.
Photo credit: ©Tika Photographie
