Not a giant flying turtle, but a replica of an ancient archelon turtle which might have swam in that exact place 65 million years ago, when Morden would have been covered by an ancient ocian.

Not a giant flying turtle, but a replica of an ancient archelon turtle which might have swam in that exact place 65-135 million years ago, when Morden would have been covered by an ancient ocean.
Photo Credit: Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

Another (ancient) giant comes back to Manitoba

Morden is a small Manitoba city near the border with the U.S. but it is becoming known for a couple of big things.

First came the fossil, then a life-sized outdoor replica of a mosasaur, a fearsome 15 metre aquatic creature, and now a life-sized outdoor replica of an ancient turtle.

It is the latest addition to the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in the small city and will be officially unveiled on Friday,

Red balloon indicates Morden Manitoba, population approx 8,668
Red balloon indicates Morden Manitoba, population approx 8,668 © google maps

The replica mosasaur was commissioned to go along with a mosasaur skeleton found in a nearby farm field in 1974.

Since then several more mosasaur specimens have been found along with other ancient fossils of creatures which would have been around in the ancient sea which covered much of central North America during the Cretaceous Period, between 65 million and 135 million years ago from the Arctic Beaufort Sea to the Gulf of Mexico, including almost of the current prairie provinces of Canada.

Bruce the mosasaur was found in Thornhill, just outside Morden, Man., in a farmer’s field in 1974. The now-extinct sea reptile is on display in Manitoba and considered the largest in the world.
Bruce the mosasaur was found in Thornhill, just outside Morden, Man., in a farmer’s field in 1974. The now-extinct sea reptile is on display in Manitoba and considered the largest in the world. © John Woods/Canadian Press

On it’s website the CFDC quotes Executive Director Peter Cantelon saying, “The CFDC wants to see the museum expand into the public space”, said Executive Director of the CFDC, Peter Cantelon. “By adding these high-quality, accurate, life-sized renditions of marine reptiles that used to live here, we allow people to connect with the deepest part of our history. It’s educational, it’s fun. It attracts tourists and tourism revenue to the city. And it instills a sense of pride in our unique heritage”

the replica of Bruce as he might have looked like millions of years ago, as the *T-rex of the sea*.
The replica of Bruce as it might have looked millions of years ago, as the *T-rex of the sea*. Shown here before being mounted as an outdoor display. © Peter Cantelon

The CFDC has some fossil remains of the archelon turtle which would have been one of the residents of that ancient sea. The life-sized replica is four-and-a-half metres wide and was made by a resident of the city who had previous career making dinosaur statues in Spain.

While the museum’s mosasaur has been named Bruce, the centre is now asking for name suggestions for this latest edition.

The giant turtle replica will be unveiled officially on Friday in Morden.
The giant turtle replica will be unveiled officially on Friday in Morden. The photo doesn’t indicate the real huge size of the world’s biggest turtle, 4.5m wide © Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre

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