The specimen was initially discovered in the summer of 2002 by Walter Stein, the field collections manager for Triebold Paleontology Inc. and curator at the recently built Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, Colorado. Stein and the owner/founder of Triebold Paleontology, Mike Triebold, were out hunting for marine reptiles in the Bear Paw Shale of central Montana when the two discovered a thin stretch of rock known as the Hell Creek Formation. After only a brief inspection of this unit, Stein came across the skeleton weathering out of a small drainage.

Preliminary preparation and analysis of the skeleton has not only helped scientists understand Tyrannosaur growth patterns, but also a great deal about T. rex behavior. Sir William’s bones were crushed, broken, and chewed upon by numerous Late Cretaceous carnivores, including possibly another T. rex. If this proves to be the case it is the first evidence of cannibalism within Tyrannosaurs.

Sir William would have been around 20 feet (6-7 meters) in length and around 3500 lbs (1760 Kg) when he died. This would be less than half the size of Sir William’s more famous cousin Sue. It appears Sir William will be between 30% - 50% complete after preparation and includes elements of the skull (>50%), the forelimbs, hind limbs, pelvis, and backbone.

Preparation of the specimen begins this week at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center’s Labor Day ceremonies in Woodland Park, Colorado. This new facility in the shadow of Pikes Peak, will give visitors the opportunity to view Sir William’s ongoing and important preparation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

ABOUT TRIEBOLD PALEONTOLGY INC. (TPI):

Triebold Paleontology Inc. is an independent company that has been in operation since 1989. The company provides services for museums and individuals ranging from paleontological exploration, data collection, excavation, preparation, restoration, mold making and casting. Original specimens and replica casts, collected, prepared, and restored by Triebold Paleontology can be seen in museums all around the world. Triebold Paleontology is world renown, and works with academics to ensure the preservation of fossil specimens from North America. The owner, Mike Triebold has been collecting fossils for almost 20 years and has been featured on The Learning Channel’s “Paleoworld,” the Discovery Channel’s “Bone Head Detectives,” Fox television specials, Newsweek and others. Currently, Triebold Paleontology Inc. maintains two traveling exhibits; “The Savage Ancient Seas” and “The Savage Ancient World.” These exhibits have been touring the United States for five years and two years respectively. TPI operates dig sites in South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas and Montana.

ABOUT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN DINOSAUR RESOURCE CENTER (RMDRC):

The RMDRC is a brand new 18,000 square foot museum in the heart of Colorado. There are two exhibit halls, one focusing on dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous and the other focusing on marine reptiles and fossil fish. A fully operational preparation laboratory is on site with viewing windows enabling guests to see all aspects of fossil prep. The museum also has a small children’s area and theatre and a very large gift shop known as Prehistoric Paradise. Special talks and guest lectures, museum tours, children’s events, and educational programs occur on a monthly basis. The center is located on state Highway 24 in Woodland Park, CO.

ABOUT WOODLAND PARK: