Halifax museum prepares to unveil 80,000 year old mastodon bones
Even though they were unearthed three decades ago, so far, only researchers have seen mastodon bones found here in the Maritimes.
That's about to change in February when they go on public display for the first time at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax.
"There's quite a bit of work that has to go on sort of behind the scenes to get specimen's ready for exhibit,” said Tim Fedak, curator of geology at the museum.
A new exhibit, called Age of the Mastodon, will be coming to the museum early next year. For the first time, 80,000 year old mastodon bones found in Nova Scotia will be on display.
"80,000 years ago, this animal was walking through the Nova Scotia landscape and it fell into a sinkhole,” said Fedak.
The bones were discovered three decades ago in the Milford Gypsum Quarry. Since then, they have been safely stored away at the museum, available only to researchers.
"We're really excited about sharing it because we've had these specimens and fossils in the collection for more than 30 years and it's a chance to finally bring them out and share them with the public,” said Jeff Gray, curator of visitor experiences and exhibits at the museum.
Before the exhibits opens, a lot of work needs to be done to piece together the bones and fill in missing areas with plaster.
The upcoming mastodon exhibit isn’t the only exciting thing on the horizon at the museum; plans are already in the works to celebrate the 100th birthday of Gus, the gopher tortoise, next year. Some of the gallery spaces are also being renewed.
"Beginning last month we started taking out one of our main permanent collection spaces. It's a space that many visitors know that had many of our mammals and birds area, that space is being completely transformed and a new exhibit will be open in 2023,” said Gray.
As for the mastodon exhibit, that’s set to open in February.
"The mastodon exhibit is not just an exhibit that we're building to be here at the museum. While it will be here for all of 2022, it will travel around the province from 2023 to 2026 before returning back to the museum,” said Gray.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.