NPS/Big Bend National Park

The "Dino-lift" operation in progress, May 2001.

The alamosaurus fossil was transported on a flatbed truck to the Dallas Museum of Natural History. The specimen remains the property of the National Park Service, but is loaned to the researchers so that it can be properly prepared and studied at the spacious museum. Preparation of the fossil is expected to take two years. When the study is complete, the fossil or a replica will be returned to Big Bend National Park for display.

Big Bend has extremely important fossil resources. The park has already yielded a pterosaur with a 36-foot wingspan that is the second largest known flying creature of all time, as well as the skull of the triceratops-like Chasmosaurus, which is the largest known skull of any land animal. In addition to numerous dinosaurs, giant crocodiles, and other reptiles, the park contains abundant fossilized wood, early mammals, and a wide variety of marine vertebrates and invertebrates.

Information on fossil site locations such as this one is kept confidential to protect these and other valuable resources.