Scientists in central Manitoba are unearthing a fossil of a predator that lived more than 80 million years ago.
The fossil of a xiphactinus, a giant sea fish, is being unearthed at a dig site just outside of Morden. The area used to be the Western Interior Seaway and home to the giant predatory fish.
Joseph Hatcher, assistant curator at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, said the fish "truly were like the T-rex of the sea" with many massive teeth in massive jaws.
Hatcher said what was found beside the xiphactinus is significant as well.
"One of the fish jaws was leaned up against one of the mosasaur flippers, which initially indicated that maybe he was biting the flipper of the mosasar," Hatcher said.
The dig team realized the xiphactinus was the more dominant of the two predators – something they didn't know before, Hatcher said.
The discovery was made at the end of last summer by a student digger who was walking along the creek.
However, Hatcher said it may take years to uncover the full skeleton, but eventually it will be on display the at Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre.
-with a report from CTV's Jillian Taylor
