Dinosaurs!
Pre-historic creatures invade the
Louisville Zoo in March
A new adventure will be stomping into the
city and heading straight for the Louisville Zoo in March.
Precautions are being taken as the Zoo
prepares Dinosaurs!, a temporary dwelling for a herd of
16 robotic dinosaurs never before seen at the Zoo—including the
giant Brachiosaurus, the menacing Tyrannosaurus rex, the fierce
Deinonychus whose name means “Terrible Claw,” and the
Cryolophosaurus which is often referred to as the “Elvisaurus”
because the large crest atop its skull resembles the iconic hair of
Elvis Presley.
Through the magic of incredible, futuristic
technology, the mammoth, life-like animatronic creatures that roar,
snarl and move will offer a full-blown dino-reality experience to
visitors as they travel back in time along a lush, winding pathway
where these enormous primeval creatures lurk at every turn. There,
guests will encounter adult dinosaurs, youngsters and even a nest
with eggs and hatchlings.
The robotic dinosaurs are built on steel
frames by Billings Productions of McKinney, Texas, and high-tech
electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs’ menacing claws and
gnashing teeth while a booming sound system gives them their
distinctive roars and chirps. One of the animatronic creatures can
even be operated by visitors using a remote control box.
In addition, kids can excavate dinosaur
fossils at a paleontologist dig site using brushes and sifters to
search for clues about the lives of dinosaurs.
“Guests of all ages will be transported
back in time as the world’s largest and most advanced collection of
high-tech, life-size animatronic dinosaurs come to life here in
Louisville,” Zoo Director John Walczak said. “This Dinosaur exhibit
will be a fun and educational learning adventure for the entire
family. We’ve lost many animals from this planet over the course of
history, and unfortunately animals are still becoming extinct today.
Conservation and preservation are at the heart of the Zoo’s mission
and it is our hope that visitors will come away from this exhibit
both excited and more aware of the need to conserve animal species
living today.”
In a revenue-sharing partnership with
Billings Productions, Dinosaurs!, is similar to other
new attraction partnerships at the Zoo like Sky Trail High Adventure
Course and the 4-D Ride Theater.
Dinosaurs! will open mid to
late March and will continue through the end of September. A special
attraction fee of $5 applies for non-members in addition to regular
Zoo admission and $4 for Louisville Zoo members. Children age 2 and
under are free. Groups of 15 or more may call (502) 238-5348 in
advance for group discounts.
Shopasaurus—a new gift shop at the
exhibit’s exit—will be fully stocked with “dinorrific” toys, games
and souvenirs to help visitors take home a reminder of their amazing
experience.
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The Louisville
Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is
dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by
providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for
visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation
education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of
Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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Get up-to-date
information about the Zoo’s upcoming Glacier Run exhibit by checking
out our new
Glacier Run blog. You can also show your love for the Louisville
Zoo by becoming a fan on
Facebook.
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