DINOSAUR BONES DISCOVERED

Released on June 28, 2001

More bones of the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, known as "Scotty", discovered

near Eastend in 1991 were recently found by the Royal Saskatchewan Museum

(RSM).



"The discovery of each new bone gives us a more complete picture, not only

of this dinosaur, but of southwestern Saskatchewan's environment as it was

65 million years ago," Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ron Osika

said.



The initial excavation uncovered the dinosaur's head, backbone, tail, hip

region and some of its ribs. The recent discovery of a shoulder bone and

two leg bones provides hope that most of the skeleton will be unearthed and

preserved.



The RSM operates a palaeontological lab at the T. Rex Discovery Centre in

Eastend. The Centre will begin offering guided tours on June 30, 2001.

Visitors can tour the excavation site, participate in fossil digs and see

the complete skeleton of a prehistoric mammal called a brontothere that was

previously discovered near Eastend. Since it opened on May 30, 2000, more

than 10,000 people have visited the Centre. Tour information can be

obtained by calling (306) 295-4009.



"This discovery is an excellent opportunity for the T. Rex Centre to kick

off our summer tour season," Eastend Community Tourism Authority

Chairperson Larry Stork said. "The tour of the excavation site is sure to

impress visitors."



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For more information, contact:



Patrick Hall Bruce Lewis

Municipal Affairs and Housing T. Rex Discovery Centre

Regina Eastend

Phone: (306) 787-0689 Phone: (306) 295-4144