World-largest land mammal to go on display in capital

[Areesh]

SLAMABAD:

The fossils of a Baluchitherium, the largest land-based mammal known to have lived, will be mounted at the Pakistan Natural History Museum (PNHM) in Shakarparian on Friday.

This was said by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairman Dr Manzoor H Soomro on Tuesday. He said the foundation had prepared a comprehensive strategy in collaboration with France to install the 30-foot long and 50-foot wide Baluchitherium in the museum near Garden Avenue. The fossils were discovered in 2000 in Dera Bugti in Balochistan.

The extinct animal’s bones were sent to the French National Museum of Natural History for preservation after being discovered. The museum sent the fossils back after analysing them. The Baluchitherium lived in what is now Balochistan some 23 million years ago.

Soomro told The Express Tribune that Baluchitherium will be the identity of PSF and it is another major development after the recent whale shark find. He hoped that the skeleton will be helpful in piquing the interest of students in biology and zoology.

Pakistan Natural History Museum Director General Dr Azhar Hussain said the animal used to roam through the forests of Baluchistan some 30 million years ago before global weather changes swept the forest away.

He added that Baluchistan has an abundance of dinosaur and mammalian fossils and more discoveries could come if efforts were made.

About Rs1.6 million have been spent on the life-size model of Baluchitherium, with Pakistani artist Muhammad Asim preparing the model. He said he did it out of love for the country while adding that it would have cost millions if the model were prepared by a European museum.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2012.

Baluchitherium returns: World-largest land mammal to go on display in capital – The Express Tribune

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

Is the mammal a Baluchi ?

 

[Roybot]

Is the mammal a Baluchi ?

Fossil was found in Balochistan. Hence the name.

 

[Icewolf]

I wonder why it was given to Frenchies.

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

Fossil was found in Balochistan. Hence the name.

Ya , I knew , just playing . Thanks anyway

 

[Roybot]

I wonder why it was given to Frenchies.

Because Pakistan doesn't have the facilities.

 

[Icewolf]

Because Pakistan doesn't have the facilities.

Well now it does.

 

[Roybot]

Well now it does.

No it doesn't. You need to treat and prepare a fossil for preservation. Pakistani doesn't have those facilities, not many countries do.

This is just a model of the fossil found, its not the real fossil.

 

[Icewolf]

You need to treat and prepare a fossil for preservation. Pakistani doesn't have those facilities, not many countries do.

In the article it says that the fossils were brought back to Pakistan. So obviously there is some preservation centre in Pakistan, otherwise the bones would have broken.

 

[Roybot]

In the article it says that the fossils were brought back to Pakistan. So obviously there is some preservation centre in Pakistan, otherwise the bones would have broken.

As I said you need to "prepare and treat" the fossil before you can store/display it. Pakistan didn't have the facility or the know how to prepare and treat and analyse and reconstruct the fossil.

 

[VCheng]

Is the mammal a Baluchi ?

Fossil was found in Balochistan. Hence the name.

Here you go:

Paraceratherium, also commonly known as Indricotherium or Baluchitherium, is an extinct genus of gigantic hornless rhinoceros-like mammals of the family Hyracodontidae, endemic to Eurasia and Asia during the Eocene to Oligocene 37.2—23.030 Mya, existing for approximately 14.17 million years. It was first discovered in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan, hence the name, by Sir Clive Forster Cooper.

Paraceratherium is the largest land mammal known. Adult Paraceratherium are estimated to have been 5.5 metres (18 ft) tall at the shoulder, 10 metres (33 ft) in length from nose to rump, a maximum raised head height of about 8 metres (26 ft), and a skull length of 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). Weight estimates vary greatly, but most realistic and reliable weight estimates are about 20 metric tons (22 short tons). This puts it in the weight range of some medium-sized sauropod dinosaurs.

 

[Edevelop]

Good news. Keep it up.

 

[Edevelop]

Because Pakistan doesn't have the facilities.

Here is something that wills surprise you:

Rare whale shark swims into Capital

ISLAMABAD - The giant whale shark carcass that was found on February 6 in the Gora Bari area in Pakistani territory of Arabian Sea by the local fishermen finally reached its final destination - Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad - where it will be processed for its long-term preservation and display.
“The preservation process will take at least four months. It then, will be reconstructed, mounted and displayed for the general public as an icon of biodiversity of Pakistan,” informed Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation Dr Manzoor Soomro while addressing a news conference here on Saturday.
He said that with the consent of all the stakeholders, it was decided that this unique specimen should be preserved and displayed in the museum for future research and education. He said the team of scientists and technicians from Pakistan Museum of Natural History have already completed the first phase of the preservation process in Karachi.
“The immediate task was to save the specimen from being perished. Fifteen people including scientists and technicians worked day and night to complete the first phase in record two days.
The skin and skeleton of the specimen has been saved and recovered,” Dr Soomro added. He said that the tissues of all the organs of the specimen have been preserved for any laboratory analysis in future and for accurate age determination of the specimen.
He informed that the largest verified specimen of this huge shark was first caught on November 11, 1947 near Baba Island, Karachi. It was 41.50-foot long, weighted more than 21.5 tons and had a girth of 23 feet. “That specimen could not be saved at that time as nobody was aware of its importance.”
“After 65 years, on February 6, 2012, a second biggest specimen, weighted 16 tonnes and 42 feet length, has been landed at Karachi coast.
And it will be preserved,” Dr Soomro said.
Dr Soomro said when fishermen had found the whale shark Gora Bari area, it was alive and motionless, according to the statements of the fishermen. However, he said, it died before the fishermen started hauling it towards seashore.
It was than brought to Karachi Fish Harbor and auctioned for Rs0.2 million.
The auctioneer who purchased the fish managed an exhibition of the specimen and levied a ticket of Rs20. Knowing the importance of this huge specimen, Karachi Fish Harbour Authority and Marine Fisheries Department came into action and took possession of the huge shark.

 

[Baby Leone]

wow great,

but i guess its not as big as dianasours....

why not in Karachi....??

 

[Areesh]

wow great,

but i guess its not as big as dianasours....

why not in Karachi....??

Because it is not a dinosaur.