The Triebold story 

Mike Triebold has been a fossil collector his entire life, beginning as a child growing up on a farm in North Dakota. This life-long interest lead to serious avocational collecting activity in Kansas beginning about 1982, and evolved over 7 years into an idea to create a new fossil-collecting and exhibit company, which was established in 1989. Triebold’s company, Triebold Paleontology, Inc. (TPI), soon became recognized as providing some of the highest quality prepared fossil specimens. His customer base quickly became primarily institutions.

Success in collecting and preparation of marine fossils from Kansas in particular has earned him much respect, as he is the only person to date who has prepared, molded, cast and mounted the giant fish Xiphactinus, Pachyrhizodus, Ichthyodectes and most recently, Enchodus in 3 dimensions, completely free of rock. The extreme delicacy and complicated anatomical structure of these animals make these specimens unique and sought-after. No other individual or company, before or since these specimens were introduced to the public in 1992 has attempted this feat.

He discovered the first Pachycephalosaurus specimen with a body, with about 50% of the bones present, in 1994. With input from top scientists, Mike restored the entire skeleton. He also discovered the world’s first and only complete, intact skeleton of Protosphyraena perniciosa in 2003, yet another large fish from Kansas, currently undergoing preparation. In 2006 his discovery of the first Lancian mammal skeleton, Didelphodon, has lead researchers to understand its surprising lifestyle, soon to be published.

Mike has contributed to articles in Newsweek, Science, National Geographic, US News and World Report, Scientific American, Wall Street Journal and other national, regional and local newspapers and magazines. He has appeared on several episodes of Paleoworld and Bonehead Detectives on the Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. TPI casts played a major role in the National Geographic 3D IMAX movie Sea Monsters, and hosted filming of the Megabeast episode on mosasaurs on Discovery Channel.

Mike graduated from Valley City, North Dakota high school in 1971, is a commercial pilot with over 2,500 hours experience, has been married to his wife, JJ, for over 30 years, has two children, 6 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and resides in Woodland Park, CO.

Quick

facts

• Mike began as an amateur collector

• Took 7 years to start TPI

• First to prep, mold, cast, and mount a Xiphactinus

• Restored an entire Pachycephalosaurus skelton

• Discovered the first Lancian mammal skeleton

contributions

• Newsweek

• National Geographic

• Scientific American

• Discovery Channel

• Paleoworld

• The Learning Channel