The remarkable discovery was made by wildlife photographer Ellio Della Ferrera while he was tracking deer and vultures in Stelvio National Park.
Rome (Italy), December 21, 2025, BNN Web Staff— An extraordinary collection of dinosaur footprints dating back to the Late Triassic period has been uncovered in the Italian Alps, close to areas set to host events during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The remarkable discovery was made by wildlife photographer Ellio Della Ferrera while he was tracking deer and vultures in Stelvio National Park.
During his expedition, Della Ferrera noticed unusual impressions embedded in the dolomite rock formations. Further examination revealed thousands of fossilised footprints stretching across hundreds of metres along the mountainside.
Paleontologists say the find offers rare insight into prehistoric life more than 200 million years ago, a time when dinosaurs were beginning to dominate the planet.
The extensive trail of tracks suggests that multiple species may have moved through the region, shedding new light on their behaviour, movement patterns and the ancient environment of what is now northern Italy.
Speaking about the discovery, Italian paleontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso highlighted its scientific importance, noting that such well-preserved and widespread footprints are uncommon in alpine regions. He said the site could help researchers better understand how early dinosaurs adapted to different landscapes during the Late Triassic era.
