April 24, 2000
People are coming from all over the world to see dinosaur tracks found on a farm in St. George.
And experts who recently visited the site say the footprints may be something they've never seen before.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates brings us the story.
Sheldon Johnson was working on his land when he noticed some unusual bumps on a rock he'd tipped over.
He and his wife LaVerna have seen dinosaur footprints before, but these didn't look like a print.
They looked like a foot.
Sheldon Johnson: "I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER I WAS LOSING MY MIND. AND WHETHER I OUGHT TO FIGURE THIS OUT, SO I FIGURED IT OUT. THEY WERE REALLY STEPPING IN CLAY AND I WAS GETTING THE FIRST CAST."
LaVerna Johnson: "I WAS JUST AMAZED THEY'RE NOT TRACKS, THEY ARE THE ACTUAL FORM OF THE FOOT, YOU CAN SEE THE TOES AND ACTUALLY THE PAD OF THE FEET."
As it turns out, there are dozens of footprints - some large, about a foot long - and some small, 4-5 inches.
Word of the tracks spread quickly, and in two months, the Johnsons have had thousands of visitors.
LaVerna Johnson: "I STARTED KEEPING RECORDS TWO WEEKS AGO. WE'VE HAD PEOPLE FROM 34 STATES AND 10 COUNTRIES."
People like Suzi Nicholson - who came one day - and then brought her daughter and friends back the next.
Suzi Nicholson: "I DIDN'T EVER REALLY BELIEVE IT, BUT WHEN YOU SEE THIS YOU KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO BE SOMETHING HUGE AND SOMETHING BIG THAT DID THESE."
This weekend, Dr. Martin Lockley - a dinosaur footprint expert from Denver-- was among the visitors.
He spent Saturday at the site, making tracings of the footprints, and giving spontaneous lectures for fellow visiting.
Dr. Martin Lockley/ Paleontologist: "THIS WAS THE HEYDAY, IF YOU LIKE, OF THE CARNIVOROUS DINOSAUR."
He says the larger footprint likely belongs to a Dilophosaurus, one of the carnivorous dinosaurs featured in the movie "Jurassic Park."
Dr. Martin Lockley: "IF YOU WERE STANDING NEXT TO THAT ANIMAL, YOU'D BE LOOKING AT ITS HIP SOCKET, AND IT MIGHT BE LOOKING AT YOU AS POTENTIAL LUNCH."
The smaller prints are even more rare.
Lockley and Utah's paleontologist suspect it may even be a new kind of track.
Jim Kirkland/State Paleontologist: "WE ARE SUSPICIOUS THAT THERE'S ANOTHER KIND OF TRACK HERE, AND WE ALSO HAVE REPORTS OF ANOTHER KIND OF TRACK AT ZION THAT THE SAME AGE APPROXIMATELY SO WE'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW UP."
The Johnsons hope a museum is eventually built on their land where the footprints would be housed. Meanwhile, they are spending all their waking hours watching over the find.
LaVerna Johnson: "WE COME DOWN AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING AND WE STAY UNTIL IT'S TOO DARK TO SEE."))
Sheldon Johnson: "PEOPLE HAVE COME AFTER WE'VE CLOSED IT WITH FLOODLIGHTS AND CAMERAS, AND SAY HEY LET US TAKE PICTURES IN THE DARK, BUT WE'RE SO TIRED WE'VE GOT TO GET SOME SLEEP."
LaVerna Johnson: "IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING REALLY GREAT, YOU HAVE THIS MUCH HAPPINESS. BUT IF YOU SHARE IT, IF YOU HAVE THIS MUCH HAPPINESS."
The city has stepped in with help, putting up fences and grading a small parking lot.
The Johnsons aren't charging any entrance fee - they want everyone to come and enjoy.
