Dinosaurs Unearthed Opens at Museum of Natural History

Dinosaurs Unearthed, a new exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, features larger-than-life, moving dinosaur models known as animatronics.

The exhibit, which will run from Jan. 30 to May 24, has travelled North America and makes its Atlantic Canadian debut at the museum.

"This exhibit will feature cutting-edge robotic technology, real fossils and be a wonderful experience for dinosaur lovers of all ages," said John Kemp, museum manager.

Dinosaurs Unearthed will be joined by an exhibit focusing on Nova Scotia dinosaurs, including new casts of real dinosaur bones and footprints, and dynamic 3D animations.

"The exhibit in Halifax gives us a chance to celebrate that Nova Scotia is home to Canada's oldest dinosaur skeletons, found in the red sandstone cliffs of the Bay of Fundy," said Tim Fedak, director and curator of Fundy Geological Museum. "At the new exhibit, visitors can stamp a passport with a dinosaur footprint to visit Fundy Geological Museum in Parrsboro this summer to learn more."

The 3,000-square-foot exhibition will show a range of dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, including a full-size adult Parasaurolophus, a feathered juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, and a model skeleton Gasosaurus.

"Nova Scotians have always been captivated by dinosaurs, especially when the museum brings large models and real fossils," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince. "Dinosaurs Unearthed is a chance for people of all ages to feed their curiosity about these fascinating creatures of ancient times."

Dinosaur enthusiasts who wish to be among the first to experience the new exhibit are invited to the Museum of Natural History for a sneak preview Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 p.m. The museum is at 1747 Summer St.

The museum brought the exhibit to Nova Scotia with funding from Support4Culture, a designated lottery program of the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation.

For more information, go to naturalhistory.novascotia.ca .