{
  "id": 12149990,
  "title": "Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi asks public to name its T. rex and blue whale: 'Science begins with a name'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/natural-history-museum-abu-dhabi-asks-public-to-name-its-t-rex-and",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T11:56:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/natural-history-museum-abu-dhabi-asks-public-to-name-its-t-rex-and-blue-whale-science-begins-with-a-name-1.500698993"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai's Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is seeking public input to name two of its biggest specimens: a Tyrannosaurus rex and a 25-metre blue whale. The museum, located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, has launched a competition called \"Name Two Giants: Your Chance To Make History\", inviting residents and visitors to suggest names for the fossils. The winning names will be displayed permanently alongside the specimens.\n\nThe first giant is a male T. rex that shares a display space with Stan, the museum's more famous Tyrannosaurus. According to the museum, this T. rex is among the five most complete specimens ever found. The second giant is a female blue whale, the largest animal species to have ever lived. Discovered washed up on Canada's east coast in 2021, this whale now hangs in the museum's galleries. Unlike blue whales in other museums, the Abu Dhabi specimen is displayed about three metres off the ground.\n\nProfessor Peter C. Kjærgaard, Director of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, emphasises that naming is crucial to scientific work. He explains that \"science begins with a name\", as it allows discoveries to become something that can be studied, shared and protected. The museum hopes that by giving people the chance to name these two giants, they will be able to participate in the scientific process for generations to come.\n\nEntries for the competition open today, October 5, and close on October 25. Suggestions can be submitted on the museum's website, nhmad.ae, with no limit on how many names each person can submit. A jury of experts from the museum and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi will review the submissions, and the winning names will be announced later this year. Each winner will receive a commemorative prize from the museum.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Two of the biggest residents of Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi still don't have names, and the museum is asking the public to choose them. The Saadiyat Cultural District museum has launched a competition called Name Two Giants. Your Chance To Make History. , inviting residents and visitors to suggest names for a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and a 25-metre blue whale. The two winning names…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}