This release was issued under a previous government.

Peter Hews with Hellboy

Peter Hews with the skull of Regaliceratops peterhewsi that he found. Photo credit: Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Regaliceratops peterhewsi was discovered by a member of the public in southeastern Alberta in 2005. Nicknamed “Hellboy” due to the combination of difficult excavation conditions and hardness of the rock surrounding the skull, the specimen took nearly 10 years from discovery to display. Upon discovery, it was instantly noticeable that this specimen was something that had never been seen before, especially considering its unlikely location and unique features.

“This remarkable discovery expands our knowledge and understanding of horned dinosaurs. Thanks to the work of the Royal Tyrrell Museum and our dedicated scientists, the world continues to learn more about Alberta’s rich palaeontological history.”

David Eggen, Minister of Culture and Tourism

The research on this specimen was completed by Royal Tyrrell Museum scientists Dr. Caleb Brown, Post-doctoral Fellow, and Dr. Donald Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs. Their research has greatly increased the understanding of the evolution of horned dinosaurs.

“While the palaeontological community is constantly finding new dinosaurs, they are often represented by only small fragments of a skeleton, which can make it hard to imagine what they looked like. With “Hellboy,” there is a huge, nearly complete skull of a very distinct new animal, and visitors to the Museum will be the first to see it on display.”

Dr. Caleb Brown, Post-doctoral Fellow

The launch event coincides with the release of the research paper on the new horned dinosaur species in Current Biology, a scientific journal that publishes original research across all areas of biology.

Fossils in Focus

“Hellboy” has been unveiled as part of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology’s newest exhibit, Fossils in Focus, which provides visitors with the chance to learn about some of the most significant specimens in the Museum’s collections. Designed to be a space that evolves with our changing understanding of palaeontology, this rotating exhibit will highlight some of the most remarkable and scientifically significant fossils from Alberta. New specimens reflecting current research will be added as the science of palaeontology moves forward. The exhibit opens to the public on June 4.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is located six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838.  It houses one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs and is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of palaeontology.