For the first time in 50 years, the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) in Morden has unveiled a fully reconstructed skull of the Tylosaurus pembinensis, a species unique to Manitoba.
The fossil is the “specimen type” used to describe this marine reptile—meaning it served as the scientific standard when the species was first identified. Although only 30–35% of the original skull was preserved, CFDC’s team has now completed an extensive restoration project to recreate the full skull with scientific precision.
A year-long project with international collaboration
Adolfo Cuetara, executive director of the CFDC, says this restoration has been years in the making. “We are unveiling the reconstruction of the skull belonging to the Tylosaurus pembinensis,” Cuetara explains. “This is the specimen that was used to describe this new species, which you can only find in Manitoba.”
The restoration took over 500 hours of work. “It was a long process,” Cuetara says. “But now, we are proud to present the most complete and accurate Tylosaurus reconstruction we’ve ever had in the museum.”
Miami Museum helped launch the project
Joe Brown, president of the Miami Museum, says this partnership has been more than a decade in the making. “We've been together for over 10 years,” Brown says. “I used to be on the board here—actually, I was chair of the board—so there's a lot of continuity. I’ve known Adolfo since he was a volunteer here. I didn't realize how skilled he was until I started working directly with him.”
Brown explains the specimen was first uncovered through mining operations in the RM of Thompson. “Most of the fossils here are from our area,” he says. “The community has always been involved in the mining of bentonite and recovery of fossils.”
He says seeing the skull completed is deeply meaningful. “Seeing it put together—the detail, the shape of the jaw, the teeth—it’s quite moving,” Brown says. “The work Adolfo has done, filling in missing pieces and duplicating parts of the jaw with 3D printing, is fantastic. We're looking forward to having a replica of the skull in our museum alongside the original bones.”
The story behind the name
The fossil has been nicknamed “Sid,” after the owner of the land where it was discovered in the 1970s.
“The land belonged to Mr. Cox,” Cuetara notes. “That’s where the nickname comes from, and it honours the history of its discovery.”
A rare in-house achievement
While major museums often outsource fossil reconstructions, Cuetara says CFDC completed the entire process in-house.
“This is unique,” he says. “Most museums hire companies like Research Casting International in Toronto, or others in the U.S. But here, we have the tools—3D scanning, printing, rotocasting—and the skills to do it ourselves.”
CFDC staff also took care to ensure scientific accuracy. “There’s not a lot of information out there on mosasaur skulls,” Cuetara admits. “So every detail had to be carefully researched.”
Brown agrees: “All the work by people in Miami to preserve and begin restoring this specimen has now really progressed, thanks to the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.”
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A boost for rural tourism
Brown says the partnership has also brought broader benefits to the region. “The CFDC putting up a field station within the RM of Thompson helps with tourism, the community, local restaurants—it’s very beneficial,” he says. “This is a growing partnership. It takes a long time to build that trust, but it’s worth it.”
Provincial funding made it possible
Cuetara says the project was made possible by the Government of Manitoba.
“We received a grant last year from the Community Museums Project Support through the Heritage Branch,” he explains. “We also used funds from the Signature Museum Program. That’s how we were able to afford the expensive materials—silicone rubber, resin for the printer, and more.”
Now complete, the skull is on display at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, offering visitors an up-close look at one of Manitoba’s most significant fossils.
“This is the best Tylosaurus reconstruction we’ve ever done,” Cuetara says. “And it was done right here in Morden.”
With files from Robyn Wiebe