ROAR!
Dinosaur Safari opens at The Bronx Zoo
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo’s Dinosaur Safari opened to the public this past Sat., May 25th.
The exhibit includes more than 20 life-like animatronic dinosaurs up to 40 feet long which snarl, roar and spit. The narrated ride runs through a two-acre area of the zoo and highlights some of the similar physical and behavioral adaptations many prehistoric species share with modern-day wildlife. A guide helps identify the dinosaurs and explains how animals at the Bronx Zoo use similar adaptations to survive in the wild. Dinosaur Safari begins with the Permian period which began about 300 million years ago and concludes with the Cretaceous period which ended 65 million years ago. Each dinosaur encountered moves and vocalizes. At the end of the experience, there is a fossil dig for children; a Tyrannosaurus rex photo-op; a paleontologist’s tent where fossil replicas will be on display; and an interactive Stegosaurus that shows how the dinosaur animatronics work.
“The Dinosaur Safari experience is a total immersive experience,” said Jim Breheny, WCS Executive Vice President, General Director WCS Zoos and Aquarium, and Bronx Zoo Director. “The dinosaurs are realistic and through the entire safari visitors are surrounded by thick jungle foliage, which really adds to the experience and helps you imagine that you have traveled back in time to see these amazing creatures.”
A full list of daily activities is available at www.BronxZoo.com/dino. This limited engagement will run through Sunday, September 8 and will be included in the Total Experience Ticket. A 20 percent discount is offered with online purchases for Monday and Tuesday visits. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.bronxzoo.com/dinotix.
