Introducing FRED: The First Comprehensive Fossil Database

New Zealand hosts FRED, the world's first nearly complete open-access fossil database, initiated in 1946 by geologist Harold Wellman. FRED contains over 100,000 entries, primarily from New Zealand, and is a vital resource for paleontologists worldwide. Despite its success, concerns arise over future contributions due to reduced science funding in New Zealand. The database remains a crucial tool for understanding the region's fossil history and facilitating international research collaborations.