A block containing a partial dinosaur skull, neck and chest has been safely extracted from the Castle River after the fishermen reported their find to staff at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Scientists believe the specimen belongs to a new species of hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) that would have roamed Alberta up to 80 million years ago. This discovery marks an entirely new area to find evidence of dinosaurs in southern Alberta.

It’s believed the fossil was dislodged from the Castle River bank by the 2013 floods.

“Our understanding and appreciation of the natural world continues to grow with this remarkable find. I’d like to congratulate the fishermen who properly reported the finding of this fossil. Thanks to their diligence and assistance, all Albertans and visitors from around the world will now have an opportunity to share in this exciting discovery.”

Maureen Kubinec, Minister of Alberta Culture and Tourism

The fossil was recently airlifted out of the discovery site and carefully transported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Palaeontology staff  believe the skull is intact and in its original shape. This is considered surprising as fossils are typically found crushed and flattened. The fossil will be prepared and researched over the next year.

Technicians doing a survey from the Royal Tyrrell Museum collected a number of specimens this summer in the Oldman River, Highwood River, Sheep River and Bow River systems. Those specimens will undergo analysis next year.

All fossil discoveries made by the public should be reported to the Royal Tyrrell Museum so they can be properly researched and preserved as part of Alberta’s history.

Owned and operated by Alberta Culture and Tourism, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometers northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838.

Carillion in Drumheller is on the ready for winter weather and  has its entire fleet mobilized for upcoming winter conditions.
mailphoto by Patrick Kolafa

    While it is midway through November, the valley is just getting its first taste of winter. Comfort should be taken that highway contractors have been ready for the snow to fly for well over a month.
 Carillion is the contractor for the Contract Maintenance Area (CMA) 21, which encircles Drumheller. From the Drumheller base, it services north up Highway 9-56 to Morrin Corner, and then heads east on Highway 9 to Delia, and circles to the Verdant Valley Road back to Drumheller. It also covers east on Highway 10 to the Dorothy Hill, and Highway 10X to Wayne.
    South of Drumheller, it is responsible for Highway 9 to Beynon corner and Highway 575 to Highway 21. It also services the secondary routes throughout these areas.
    CMA 20 and 22 are also served by Carillion, but not from the Drumheller base.
    In getting ready for the season, Alan Adams, foreman for CMA 21, says they have been prepared for some time for winter. He says the base had to prepare Winter Readiness Reports. The CMA maintains a consistent crew year round. He says by October 1 they are required to have one plow truck at the ready.
    By October 15, they are required to have their entire six truck fleet at the ready.
    The CMA has three Graders at the ready and its gravel and sand is stockpiled at their Drumheller yard. The surrounding CMAs share another unit to use when one goes out for service.
    He said starting November 15 the Drumheller base begins its night patrols. This means the company has a crew member on the road, surveying road conditions, from midnight to 8 a.m.
    If there is a weather event,  Adams says the goal is to have all trucks on the road within two hours.  Hills in the area are treated as a priority.
    Carillion updates the province of Alberta’s 511 system that provides road reports to the public.