Dinosaurs in the Desert LAST WEEKEND at The Phoenix Zoo!
In celebration of National Dinosaur Day, June 1, the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC)/Phoenix Zoo is announcing that 17 prehistoric creatures will return to the Zoo’s Desert Lives Trail in the fall of 2022, and they’ve brought friends – six ancient beasts!
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“Dinosaurs in the Desert” will debut on October 1, 2022 and run through April 30, 2023. Journey back in time and immerse yourself in a world where colossal dinosaurs and other ancient beasts dominate the landscape in this not-to-be-missed prehistoric experience. The self-guided tour includes the animatronic dinosaur structures which move and make various sounds including the infamous roar of a tyrannosaurus rex and the snarl of a saber tooth cat. A fossil dig will also be found along the trail as well as a photo op with a parasaurolophus.
All new creatures include gigasaurus, troodon, allosaurus, a giant bear, sea scorpion, terror bird and more.
In anticipation of this world-class exhibit coming to the Zoo, the Zoo received the first dinosaur of the collection which is currently on display near the carousel: the kentrosaurus. This dinosaur’s name means “spiked lizard,” and it also showcases spikes on its back painted a brilliant orange color and stands nearly six feet tall. This species was discovered in Tanzania and Tendaguru, Africa, from the Jurassic period, 150 million years ago.
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“Dinosaurs in the Desert” originally debuted at the Phoenix Zoo in the fall of 2017. The wildly popular exhibit consisted of 23 prehistoric creatures along the Zoo’s Desert Lives Trail and welcomed nearly 400,000 guests through the trail. “We felt it was time to bring back dinosaurs to the desert,” says President and CEO, Bert Castro. “It’s been five years since we’ve hosted this traveling exhibit, and we all know how rough the past few years have been, so we wanted to unveil an attraction that allows guests to experience a bit of adventure, playfulness and reverie.”
Dinosaurs in the Desert will open to ACNC/Phoenix Zoo members on October 1 & 2, and then the general public opening takes place beginning October 3, 2022. The exhibit will be included with Zoo general admission and will take approximately 30 minutes to roam (or spend longer if you choose!).
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As part of the exhibit, educational signage will also be found with each dinosaur, highlighting size and interesting facts known about that particular species.
The unveiling of the kentrosaurus is just the first step in a multi-faceted marketing campaign to promote this exhibit coming to the Valley. Billboards, digital ads and various marketing materials will be launching in the coming weeks and months. The prehistoric exhibit will also be on display during the Zoo’s annual holiday light show; ZooLights.
WHEN:
Open during regular Zoo hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Included with general admission into the Zoo, or with Zoo membership
"SPRING" INTO SAVINGS
Get $5 off admission to the Phoenix Zoo when purchasing online!
WHERE:
Phoenix Zoo 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008
