A pair of tyrants

This week we're travelling back in time 66 million years ago with producer William Ray, to a time when dinosaurs roamed. Join William as he meets two Tyrannosaurus rex fossils at the Auckland Museum and uncovers the story behind the bones.

In 2022 Auckland War Memorial Museum received two new guests: a pair of gigantic fossilised Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons.

Join producer William Ray as he meets the dinosaurs and then discovers the story behind the bones with University of Kansas palaeontologist Dr David Burnham.

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Scientists who've studied the fossils say they have evidence of dramatic injuries, which might shed light on the lifestyles of these deadly dinosaurs.

The first, nicknamed "Peter", has a devastating injury to his femur, which seems to have been bitten in half by another T. rex in a battle over territory or mating rights.

The second, "Barbara", has a significant injury to her foot, which would have made it extremely difficult for her to hunt. Some scientists say the fact this injury healed might suggest she was helped to find food by other tyrannosaurs - hinting at a more caring, social side to these dinosaurs.

To learn more:

Info about Barbara and Peter is available on Auckland Museum's website.

Auckland Museum chief executive Dr David Gaimster spoke to Karyn Hay on Nights about the two tyrannosaurs

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details