The second wave of excitement surrounding “Dino Autopsy” is about to hit the UK. The two hour programme was originally aired on the National Geographic channel in June earlier this year and I for one have been looking forward to the freeview release. Dino Autopsy is showing today on Channel 5 at 9pm.

The dinosaur species under medical examination in “Dino Autopsy” is the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex. A full scale model of T. Rex was created and pumped full of blood red syrup to give the most realistic necropsy experience. A team of palaeontologists and a veterinary surgeon were asked to perform the dissection and examination in front of T.V cameras. I understand these brave scientists were also submitted to a four dimensional experience being immersed in the odour of a rotting dinosaur corpse.

The seven tonne dinosaur model, measuring a mere 13 meters in length, was created by a UK based team led by Jez Gibson-Harris, who is an experienced dinosaur modeller. I understand on its’ journey to Pinewood Studios the T-Rex was driven around London on the back of a flat-bed lorry which helped whip up some visibility for the programme. I imagine this would have provoked an interesting reaction from the drivers it passed!

The skeleton is based on casts from the two well-known holotype T. Rex fossils “Stan” and “Sue” and other T-Rex data provided from scientific papers to build up the musculature and other soft tissues. The model also represents a modernistic view of dinosaurs with the addition of feather like features (that were made from turkey and goose feather quills).

I’m already looking forward to the next instalment, who knows possibly a large sauropod or even a Pterosaur for something a bit different!

For more information about the Dino Autopsy: T-Rex schedule please visit the channel 5 website. 

Hope you enjoy!

Jurassic Jones