Overview
If you've been one of the hundreds of locals and tourists flocking to see our oldest resident since he arrived last year, we've got great news — he's getting a friend. The fossilised skeleton of a female T-Rex is joining 67 million-year-old Peter the T-Rex at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum — making it the only place in the world ever to exhibit adult male and female T-Rex together.
And that's not the only world first. Named 'Barbara', the new (so to speak) skeleton is one of only three pregnant female T-Rex ever discovered. Her frame, a whopping 11.7 metres long and 3.4m high and discovered in northeastern Montana, can be viewed at the museum from Friday, December 2.
"This is an incredible coup for Auckland Museum and all New Zealanders, to have a unique opportunity to see a male and female T-Rex in the same space, at the same time. This dramatic display will be the envy of every museum around the world," says Dr David Gaimster, Chief Executive of Auckland Museum.
Barbara is the eighth most complete T-Rex skeleton ever discovered and this exhibition will be the first time she's ever been viewed by the public. Just like with Peter, visitors can get up close and personal with the dinosaur and learn about her excavation, life and history — including a devastating foot injury that would have turned her from a hunter to a scavenger.
There will also be a series of both free and ticketed events and programmes celebrating the dinosaur pair, including dino-themed birthday parties and a free augmented reality hunt through the museum.
It was announced back in September that Peter would be sticking around until the end of 2023 due to record numbers of visitors flocking to the museum since his arrival — so Barbara has a lot to live up to. But we're guessing a fair few people will seize the opportunity to see two T-Rex together — for the first time in, oh, 66 million years or so.
Barbara the T-Rex will arrive at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum on Friday, December 2. Seeing the exhibition is free with museum entry. For more information head to the museum website.