NANAIMO, B.C. — A new summer exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum is drawing attention to British Columbia’s own prehistoric past, headlined by a life-sized replica of Buster, a rare ceratopsian dinosaur discovered in the province.
Running from June 7 to September 6, Dinosaurs of B.C. is a travelling exhibit developed by the Royal B.C. Museum that highlights notable paleontological discoveries made across the province. Central to the showcase is Buster, a reconstructed model of Ferrisaurus sustutensis, a species identified in 1971 near the Sustut River by geologist Kenny F. Larsen during work on the B.C. Rail line.
Nicknamed “the Iron Lizard from the Sustut River,” Ferrisaurus sustutensis belongs to the leptoceratopsidae family—part of the broader ceratopsian group that thrived during the Cretaceous period. Its relatives include more widely recognized species such as Triceratops and Styracosaurus, featured prominently in popular media.
According to Aimee Greenaway, curator at the Nanaimo Museum, the full-size model of Buster is one of the exhibit’s most compelling attractions. “It’s life-size, and since we can’t touch the model, we have a 3D scale version so visitors can get a sense of Buster’s shape and size,” she said.
Greenaway emphasized that paleontology continues to resonate with younger audiences, making the exhibit an ideal opportunity to engage families and students. “We’ve got summer activities planned with the theme of dinosaurs, and we’re really looking at this as a chance to invite the community to explore the exhibit,” she said.
Interactive features are designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Highlights include a touchscreen game called Buster: True or False, a video documenting real-life fossil excavation, and a hands-on activity area where children can search through kinetic sand for replica fossils, shells, and coal, which can be exchanged for dinosaur-themed prizes. A dinosaur-themed “I Spy” scavenger hunt with 12 hidden clues also adds to the fun.
While Buster and other herbivores take center stage, the exhibit includes cast fossils from carnivorous species as well, such as a tyrannosaur upper-jaw bone and a preserved footprint.
Greenaway noted that the most remarkable aspect of the exhibition is its strong local connection. “So often we hear about research from Alberta or other parts of the world, but this is very close to home—this is what prehistoric life was like in British Columbia,” she said.
Special weekend programming is also planned. On Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays between June 28 and September 1, children aged three and up can participate in fossil-dig activities designed to be both educational and entertaining.
The Dinosaurs of B.C. exhibit presents a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the province’s ancient natural history up close—an experience the Nanaimo Museum hopes will inspire curiosity and wonder across generations.
