Dinosaur Bones Found in SW QLD

Eromanga is now home to Australia's largest dinosaurs - 'Cooper', 'Zac' and 'George' (so far!). Please note these names are nicknames only given to the new dinosaur discoveries purely as a means to identify them until they are scientifically described. For further information and a profile on the dinosaurs, please click here.

23-09-2009

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For further developments and information, visit the Outback Gondwana Foundation at http://www.ogf.org.au/

31/12/2007

By Sarah Lilburne, Western Times

In a simple tin shed outside Eromanga in south west Queensland, a small and dedicated group of workers continue the painstaking and intricate job of preparing the most recent and exciting find of fossilised dinosaur bones, belonging to Australia's largest titanosaur, Cooper.

Cooper is confirmed to be the largest of his kind found on our shores, making him the largest animal to have walked this continent. It is believed that Cooper represents a new species of titanosaur, different to the ones found in Winton, more than 900 kilometres away.

This work follows the official announcement at the Queensland Museum in May of the discovery of titanosaur bones. A left and right humerus and a femur to be exact, belonging to Cooper and George. These specimens are currently on display at the Brisbane facility. The bones currently being prepared for scientific interpretation and display, were recently dug up from their resting site and, after 95 million years, the beauty of nature has produced magnificent specimens, making this find one of the most significant in Australia's history.

The bones were carefully excavated at the dig site and moved to the makeshift laboratory on the property outside Eromanga. Transported and kept in special plaster cocoons ensured nothing was damaged or broken, and now all the outer debris and dirt is being removed to reveal the smooth surface of fossilised bone.

Palaeontologist, Scott Hocknull from the Queensland Museum, will take on the task of identifying the newly-excavated bones, concentrating on a scientific description for Cooper, which will then give him a scientific name.

Santos has joined the project as the major sponsor due to its very long involvement in the Cooper Basin area, where the largest onshore oil fields are located. By being involved in the dinosaur project, Santos are able to give back to the community and country with which it has been associated. The sponsorship from Santos will allow an annual dig to take place at different sites where the dinosaur bones have been found.

Following these digs, volunteer workers and staff from the Queensland Museum will be able to work on preparing the bones which takes many, many hours of work.

The Quilpie Shire Council recently moved a motion of support for a plan to build a facility to house the bones, which will remain the property of the facility. The facility will comply with standards scientifically approved to house bones for display and preparation.

This motion ensures the dinosaurs will remain in the area which the came from, and will give the shire a monumental attraction for tourists and dinosaur enthusiasts.

As yet, no decisions have been made about the facility or its exact location, only that it will need to be staffed by professionals who know how to maintain and care for the collection.

This year’s Quilpie Show is themed Digging for Dinosaurs, and property owners, Stuart and Robyn Mackenzie, are very excited to be holding a display of information and items of titanosaur bones for everyone to see.

The public are invited to bring any items of stone or fossil to the Quilpie Show, that they believe to be of significance, to be identified, or simply come along and join in the wonder of these creatures that once roamed our region.

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