The Chapada das Mesas region, located in southern Maranhão, known for its waterfalls, canyons, and natural pools, also holds important vestiges of prehistory. In Fortaleza dos Nogueiras, visitors have the opportunity to see fossilized dinosaur footprints preserved in rocks at a paleontological site situated in Tangará Ecopark.
This paleontological site at Tangará Ecopark contains records where researchers identified a minimum of 78 dinosaur footprints, spread across seven areas of rocky outcrops.
The discovery was the subject of a scientific study published in June 2025 in the international journal Italian Journal of Geosciences. Scientists from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and other Brazilian institutions participated in the research.
The footprints were located in early 2024 during a tourist attraction survey conducted along the banks of the Mosquito River, in Fortaleza dos Nogueiras. A tourism professional from the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) noticed unusual marks on the rocks and sought out Professor Manuel Medeiros, who belongs to the Biology Department of the university.
After a technical inspection, researchers confirmed that the marks were indeed fossilized dinosaur footprints. This finding generated significant international repercussion.
The investigation involved a multidisciplinary team composed of researchers from UFMA, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), and other entities. The results were published in the scientific article titled 'Jurassic dinosaurs from Brazil: the footprints from Parnaíba Province, Mosquito Formation,' which was part of a special edition of the Italian journal dedicated to 200 years of scientific studies on dinosaurs.
The research detailed five distinct types of footprints, called morphotypes, presenting variations in size and shape; some of them exhibit three-toed marks and traces of claws.
In addition to its scientific value, the paleontological site has been incorporated into the tourist offerings of Tangará Ecopark. The park's administration reports that visitors can examine the fossilized records through an activity called 'Trilha das Pegadas' (Footprint Trail), which is guided with specialized instruction. This route allows for the observation of the marks preserved in the rocks and knowledge of part of the region's geological history.
The monitored visitation also serves as a conservation strategy, since the fossils constitute a scientific heritage, and access control aims to prevent damage to the surfaces containing the marks of prehistoric animals. Tangará Ecopark recommends that this activity be scheduled and consulted with the park's team in advance.
The park also provides complete infrastructure for those wishing to enjoy other natural tourist spots, such as waterfalls, natural pools, trails, leisure and rest areas, in addition to offering restaurants and accommodation options.
Tangará Ecopark is located in the rural area of Fortaleza dos Nogueiras, a municipality in southern Maranhão, within the Chapada das Mesas tourist area. According to the administration, access is made starting from the municipal headquarters, traveling about 10 kilometers along highway MA-006 and another 4 kilometers on a dirt road to the destination.
To facilitate the journey, it is advisable to check the official location and ask the park staff for directions before starting the trip. The inclusion of the footprints expands the range of attractions in Chapada das Mesas, which is already sought after by tourists interested in natural landscapes, rock formations, and waterfalls. The marks preserved at Tangará Ecopark provide visitors with the chance to learn about a segment of Maranhão's prehistory, adding a historical and scientific appeal to ecotourism routes in the south of the state.