Monster munch: T-rex takes Auckland bow

A T. rex skeleton is an incredibly rare sight in New Zealand and one containing real fossils is even rarer

Dr Matt Rayner

He’s three metres high and 11 metres long with frighteningly huge teeth and jaws powerful enough to crush bone, and he’s over 60 million years old.

Meet Peter the T. rex, Auckland War Memorial Museum’s latest exhibit and the first tyrannosaurid to visit Aotearoa New Zealand — as far as we know.

In another achievement for Ta¯maki Paenga Hira, this is the first public display of Peter since his discovery in mud deposits in Wyoming in 2018.

The display features the 60 individual bones that make up the 47 per cent skeleton uncovered from his mid-western grave, making Peter one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever found. Additional castings are used to create the entire frame.

Peter’s remains have been extensively researched and analysed by Dr David Burnham, Dr Bruce Rothschild and Dr John Nudds, with the findings published in a paper that describes his initial discovery and preservation — and the revelation that he met a violent end. Teeth marks scraped across his femur and evidence of bones crushed in the jaws of another monster suggest Peter was slain by a more ferocious T. rex and been nibbled on by a smaller companion.

Peter was killed and then partially eaten by more than one assailant.

Dr Matt Rayner, curator land vertebrates at Auckland Museum, said: “It’s exciting to be able to host one of the most complete T. rex skeletons in the world as it goes on show for the first time. A T. rex skeleton is an incredibly rare sight in New Zealand and one containing real fossils is even rarer.”

Over the six months of Peter’s visit, the museum will host a series of public programmes including interactive educational displays, immersive dinosaur performances, palaeontology for juniors and even dinosaur-themed birthday parties.

The exhibition is the first in a series for the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

“2022 and 2023 will see the museum host a series of major international touring exhibitions dedicated to global prehistory and ancient civilisations, allowing New Zealanders to explore the world that came before us,” said Dr David Gaimster, chief executive at Auckland Museum.

“We are delighted to be bringing these special experiences to Ta¯maki

Free with museum entry, Peter the T. rex comes to Auckland from Friday April 15 and is on display until September 4.