LAPRAIRIE CRANE HELPS FUND EXCAVATION OF FIRST COMPLETE DINOSAUR IN BC
From Tumbler Ridge News, June 30, 2010
PRPRC Palaeontologists Begin Recovery of British Columbia’s First Complete Dinosaur
On June 17th Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre (PRPRC) scientists and staff began the third year of excavation of what is now known to be a nearly complete duckbill dinosaur, or hadrosaur (a plant-eating dinosaur from the Cretaceous Era). A tantalizing number of dinosaur bones were discovered in the summer of 2007 which led to a preliminary excavation in 2008 and a much more thorough dig in 2009.
Towards the end of that season a substantial portion of the animal’s tail was unearthed and was then stabilized within a sturdy Plaster of Paris jacket. The specimen, weighing nearly 1000lbs, was far too heavy for removal by hand or any other available conventional means. Due to the economic downturn, industry-sponsored helicopter support was unavailable. The palaeontologists reluctantly buried the plaster jacket containing the dinosaur’s tail section, in the hope that it would survive the winter.
However, the problem still remained as to how to remove this specimen from a remote locality. The palaeontologists and the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation made a series of applications and presentations to regional government and numerous industry sources for funding that would enable the recovery of British Columbia’s first complete dinosaur. The North and South Peace Economic Development Commissions each granted the requests of $25,000 towards this project and generous contributions were also made by LAPRAIRIE CRANE and Peace River Coal.
The funds were used to purchase a number of supplies and necessary excavation equipment. The 8-wheel Argo purchased is the first of two which the PRPRC hopes to obtain and use for many other field projects in the coming years, so as to recover more of B.C.’s palaeontological heritage. Local and regional businesses provided large-ticket items at a substantial discount or at cost (Redline Power Craft Ltd. in Grande Prairie for an 8-wheel Argo and generator; Foster’s Covered Wagons in Dawson Creek for a large flat-deck trailer; Tumbler Ridge Pharmacy for Epi-Pens; and Northern Metalic in Tumbler Ridge for many tools and supplies.
Cheyl Bourcier, Manager of the Tumbler Ridge Branch of Northern Metalic, commented: “I just think this is a wonderful way to support Tumbler Ridge. It is an awesome project for the community and important for kids, and it’s great that the community can move beyond relying on the mining industry. It’s a privilege for Northern Metalic to be able to contribute to this project.”
PRPRC Curator of Palaeontology Rich McCrea was very impressed about the degree of support for this excavation project: “With the realization that we were dealing with a reasonably complete dinosaur at the end of our 2009 field season our objective for 2010 was clearly and to fully recover this specimen. We were very fortunate to have such a generous response to our requests for support. We now have the proper tools and supplies to do the job and we feel very positive about our chances to accomplish this unique task, and we intend to live up to the confidence that has been displayed in us by our funding partners.”
The first phase ended successfully as the jacketed dinosaur tail section was transported without incident from the excavation site all the way to Tumbler Ridge. McCrea explained that the recovered dinosaur could take up to two to three years to prepare. Once the preparation is complete each bone will be moulded and cast, and then an exact replica will be mounted in life position in the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery. McCrea hopes to devise a specially built display cabinet to showcase the original bones in full articulation, for the enjoyment of regional residents and visitors to B.C.’s Peace Region.
