Things are taking a prehistoric turn at The Exploration Place in Prince George. The museum and science center in the city are currently showcasing Dinosaurs of B.C., a traveling exhibit from the Royal B.C. Museum that features ancient creatures.
At the heart of the exhibit is “Buster,” a dinosaur unique to British Columbia, formally known as Ferrisaurus sustutensis. Described as a smaller cousin of triceratops, Buster is about the size of a sheep with a long tail.
The discovery of Buster dates back to 1971 when a geologist working on a rail line expansion near the Sustut River in northern British Columbia found a partial set of bones, including toes, shins, and shoulder bones. It took years before it was identified as a new species, believed to have roamed over 67 million years ago.
Replicas of Buster’s bones and a life-size model can now be viewed at The Exploration Place, along with well-preserved marine fossils from British Columbia and items on loan from the dinosaur-rich Tumbler Ridge museum.
Visitors to the exhibit can also observe a cast of a tyrannosaur footprint and learn about the meticulous scientific processes involved in paleontology. The exhibit, which has already toured other B.C. communities, will be open for viewing in Prince George until September 13.
Exploration Place curator Alyssa Gerwing emphasized the exhibit’s role in showcasing the region’s dinosaur history and ongoing discoveries that contribute to our knowledge of these ancient creatures.
