At 14 metres long, nearly two metres wide and lying lifeless in a specially constructed biology lab, the world’s first full-size, anatomically complete recreation of a Tyrannosaurus rex awaits dissection. In National Geographic Channel’s new two-hour special, T. rex Autopsy, four intrepid scientists get to the heart (literally) of what made this fearsome creature tick.
Kicking-off Dino Month on the National Geographic Channel (ASTRO Channel 553) the T.rex Autopsy is set to premiere on June 14 at 10.00pm, with a special screening event held today in collaboration with Petrosains at TGV Cinemas @ KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.
This once-in-a-lifetime experiment will offer viewers an unprecedented opportunity to explore questions such as whether or not T. rex had feathers; how it fed with tiny arms; whether it was primarily a hunter or scavenger; how it digested food; how old it lived to be; how it procreated; and whether it was warm-blooded like a mammal or cold-blooded like a reptile.
With eyes the size of grapefruits, 30 centimetre-long teeth and a stomach big enough to digest a four-year-old child, the recreation of the T. rex is lifelike inside and out. Using cutting-edge special effects in collaboration with esteemed veterinary surgeons, anatomists and palaeontologists, T. rex Autopsy illuminates the latest research and findings about the Tyrannosaurus rex.
In their quest to document, x-ray and scan the T. rex, the experts must cope with unexpected surprises (such as the overwhelming smell manufactured for its innards) as they saw through bone, wade through blood and slice through muscle to determine how this 65-million-year-old beast may have lived – and died.
Ms. Penny Tan, Marketing Director of FOX International Channels (FIC), which continuously strives to offer its viewers the best in entertainment, said, “The T. rex is certainly one of the most fascinating creatures that has lived on earth, and continues to capture the imagination and hearts of people. We are truly excited to host this special screening with Petrosains.”
Ms. Shamini Balan, Marketing Director of Petrosains, The Discovery Centre said, “We are truly pleased to collaborate with FIC through its renowned National Geographic Channel. As an institution that promotes the public understanding of science and technology, our aim is to be a platform that constantly provides viewers and visitors alike with knowledge and information that helps them understand and appreciate better, the world around them. This initiative with the National Geographic Channel then helps us nurture the curiosity over the fascinating world of science and its valuable contribution to mankind.”
“Our ultimate goal is to provide something appealing for everyone, regardless of age. Collaborations such as this with National Geographic Channel enables us to make the learning of science, accessible, relevant, engaging and credible.” adds Shamini.
Employing industrial-sized tools, veterinary surgeon Dr. Luke Gamble, who specialises in large animal medicine, leads a group of palaeontologists that includes Dr. Tori Herridge, Dr. Steve Brusatte and Matthew T. Mossbrucker, in cutting the T.Rex open. Their autopsy experience is as realistic as possible from the moment they lay eyes on the man-made model. All science, T. rex Autopsy is a special to both aspiring and reformed dinosaur fanatics.
Dr. Tori Herridge, who has previously conducted an autopsy on a woolly mammoth from the Ice Age, said, “The chance to take paleontological evidence and transform that into something tangible in the real world, something we can all recognise and appreciate without expert knowledge, is very special. Not to give too much away, but one of the most interesting things we learnt is that the size of the T. rex heart was not one per cent of the body size that is typical in mammals and birds, it was actually smaller than we might have predicted. A bigger heart just would not have fit inside the chest cavity. It took delving under its dual rib cages, getting blood all over my arms, to find that out!”
T. rex Autopsy headlines a colossal month of dinosaur programming on the National Geographic Channel that includes the premiere of Dino Death Match, T. rex: Ultimate Survivor, Bigger Than T. rex and the two-hour special Top Ten Biggest Beasts Ever which happens every Sunday, 10pm. The adventure continues on the weekdays with more Dino programs daily at 7pm on National Geographic Channel (ASTRO Channel 553).