Does anyone have any knowledge of the fate of all of the fossils and fossil casts found throughout DinoLand U.S.A? I sincerely hope that all of the specimens displayed throughout the land will be respected and preserved. These displays are not just theme park scenery, they are fossils and professionally made casts of real fossils that are millions of years old.
Many of the real fossils are on loan from various museums and universities, so I would hope that these are properly returned to their original owners. However, Disney does own several of the fossils found in DinoLand U.S.A. I am also aware that they own most of the fossils casts that were displayed throughout the land, such as those within the rockwork of The Boneyard and hanging on the walls in the Restaurantosaurus. One of the most iconic examples is the Brachiosaurus skeleton that welcomed guests throughout the "Oldengate Bridge" at the entrance of DinoLand U.S.A. This is a cast of the first bones of this species found in 1900 in Colorado by paleontologist Elmer Riggs. Most entities outside of museums do not have the privilege of owning full-scale, mostly complete fossil casts of important paleontological finds like this.
Another important fossil cast display in DinoLand U.S.A. is the cast of the Tyrannosaurus rex Sue. She is one of the largest, most complete, and best preserved fossils of the Tyrannosaurus rex that has been discovered. The Walt Disney Company was one of the major donors that helped the Field Museum of Chicago to purchase Sue's fossils for them to be preserved for research and public display. Sue was one of the most expensive dinosaur fossils ever sold and she likely would have never made her public debut if it were not for Disney's significant donation. Disney also played a role is the preparation of Sue's display, in partnership with the Field Museum of Chicago. Guests were able to watch actual paleontologists perform Sue's fossil preparation at the Fossil Preparation Lab attraction in DinoLand U.S.A in 1998. When Sue's preparation was completed, one of her casts was displayed outside of the DINOSAUR/Countdown to Extinction attraction. It is the only cast of Sue that displays her in a running motion, which is also really unique.
It is distressing to think that Disney would possibly destroy the amazing fossils and fossil casts that they own. Even if they don't destroy them and sell them instead, it would still demonstrate that the company does not appreciate the scientific and historical gold mine that they own and have contributed to. These unique displays and thematic experiences provided with these fossils and fossil casts have entertained and educated the millions of guests that have entered Disney's Animal Kingdom. If they could at least continue to display one specimen in the park, it should be Sue. Tyrannosaurus rex Sue has a significant historical connection with the Walt Disney Company and Disney's Animal Kingdom. I believe that she could be displayed in the open space that is just to the right of the entrance of the Conservation Station. The public should be able to have the opportunity to learn about Sue and Disney's role in the acquisition, preservation, and legacy of one of the most important paleontological finds of all time. Additionally, dinosaurs and prehistoric life should be represented at Disney's Animal Kingdom. If we don't learn about and appreciate past life on Earth, it is difficult to fully understand and conserve the flora and fauna that exists today. I encourage everyone to contact Disney to inspire them to properly preserve and display the fossils and fossil casts that they own.
Many of the real fossils are on loan from various museums and universities, so I would hope that these are properly returned to their original owners. However, Disney does own several of the fossils found in DinoLand U.S.A. I am also aware that they own most of the fossils casts that were displayed throughout the land, such as those within the rockwork of The Boneyard and hanging on the walls in the Restaurantosaurus. One of the most iconic examples is the Brachiosaurus skeleton that welcomed guests throughout the "Oldengate Bridge" at the entrance of DinoLand U.S.A. This is a cast of the first bones of this species found in 1900 in Colorado by paleontologist Elmer Riggs. Most entities outside of museums do not have the privilege of owning full-scale, mostly complete fossil casts of important paleontological finds like this.
Another important fossil cast display in DinoLand U.S.A. is the cast of the Tyrannosaurus rex Sue. She is one of the largest, most complete, and best preserved fossils of the Tyrannosaurus rex that has been discovered. The Walt Disney Company was one of the major donors that helped the Field Museum of Chicago to purchase Sue's fossils for them to be preserved for research and public display. Sue was one of the most expensive dinosaur fossils ever sold and she likely would have never made her public debut if it were not for Disney's significant donation. Disney also played a role is the preparation of Sue's display, in partnership with the Field Museum of Chicago. Guests were able to watch actual paleontologists perform Sue's fossil preparation at the Fossil Preparation Lab attraction in DinoLand U.S.A in 1998. When Sue's preparation was completed, one of her casts was displayed outside of the DINOSAUR/Countdown to Extinction attraction. It is the only cast of Sue that displays her in a running motion, which is also really unique.
It is distressing to think that Disney would possibly destroy the amazing fossils and fossil casts that they own. Even if they don't destroy them and sell them instead, it would still demonstrate that the company does not appreciate the scientific and historical gold mine that they own and have contributed to. These unique displays and thematic experiences provided with these fossils and fossil casts have entertained and educated the millions of guests that have entered Disney's Animal Kingdom. If they could at least continue to display one specimen in the park, it should be Sue. Tyrannosaurus rex Sue has a significant historical connection with the Walt Disney Company and Disney's Animal Kingdom. I believe that she could be displayed in the open space that is just to the right of the entrance of the Conservation Station. The public should be able to have the opportunity to learn about Sue and Disney's role in the acquisition, preservation, and legacy of one of the most important paleontological finds of all time. Additionally, dinosaurs and prehistoric life should be represented at Disney's Animal Kingdom. If we don't learn about and appreciate past life on Earth, it is difficult to fully understand and conserve the flora and fauna that exists today. I encourage everyone to contact Disney to inspire them to properly preserve and display the fossils and fossil casts that they own.
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