By Tyler Sutherland
An artist’s rendering of the CDFC Squalicorax shark, uncovered in August 2014 by the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. (JULIUS CSOTONYI)
The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, Manitoba has received a $15,000 grant.
The donation comes from Thomas Sill Foundation board member Ron Westfall, and will be used to research, prepare and eventually exhibit the world’s largest fossilized shark of its type and species.
“At just over an estimated three metres in length the CDFC Squalicorax is the largest known partially-articulated specimen for the genus in the world, being 1.2 times the size of the largest known specimen of Squalicorax,” said palaeontologist Dr. Michael Newbrey, a fish expert at Columbus State University in Georgia and former scientist with the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta.
Newbrey identified the shark in the museum’s collection last summer, making Morden the home to the world’s largest fossilized shark.
“Once the specimen is prepared and exhibited the CFDC moves even closer to becoming one of the most compelling tourist destinations in Manitoba,” said CFDC executive director Peter Cantelon.
