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"Leonardo", the 'Mummy' Dinosaur makes his appearance in Fukui City, Japan

The rare 'mummified' Brachylophosaurus fossil specimen known as "Leonardo" has made a long journey from Malta, Montana to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Fukui near the Sea of Japan. This journey included a detour and a ten-year stay at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana where "Leonardo" was the star of the museum's Dinosphere exhibition.

The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum (GPDM) shares ownership of the fossil with the Hammond Fossil Farm, whose members own the land in Phillips County Montana where "Leonardo" was first discovered in 2000. Both entities have entered into a 10-year loan contract where "Leonardo" will be displayed in the newly renovated exhibition hall at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum where scientists from around the world will have access to learn and study this scientific wonder.

GPDM board member, Anne Boothe reports that while the museum board and staff and the local community have long awaited the return of "Leonardo", "we do not have adequate physical space for the specimen nor adequate funds for necessary scientific research at present. It was a difficult decision but there are many advantages."

Determined to reframe and make the best of the situation, GPDM applied for and secured funds from the Eastern Montana Tourism Grant Program from the Montana Department of Commerce that will transform their existing Leonard exhibit into a more engaging experience dubbed "Experience Leonardo". GPDM will work with Bret Wright of Toolshed LLC, a Cut Bank Montana-based developer, who will utilize technologies to develop an interactive wall exhibit that will serve as a window to the exhibit and research of "Leonardo" at Fukui and his prehistoric outdoor environment. 

Boothe added that "we are very excited about this innovative exhibit. Our intent is to revitalize our museum by engaging youth and families, scientific researchers in education, and provide unlimited opportunity to our local community and visitors from across the US and world.  Project work, which also includes development of a simple marketing plan, updated website and social media campaign will begin in the spring of 2023 and according to funders, must be completed by May 2024.

GPDM will host a meeting to engage and collaborate with the local tourism sector as well as educators, science/STEM organizations on a date to be announced soon. All interested persons are invited, the agenda will include roundtable conversations regarding tourism and educational opportunities to share and learn from each other.

 

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