Giants of the Jurassic

Dallas Zoo’s keepers can’t stop #PrattKeeping

Is it that obvious that zookeepers have had a blast this past week mimicking Chris Pratt’s now-famous scene in Jurassic World? From stories on BuzzFeed to the New York Times, keepers across the world have stood proud, showing off their relationships with the animals they care for.

The scene where Pratt handles three velociraptors has taken off in the realm of zookeeping. A trending social media topic, photos tagged #JurassicZoo, #JurassicZookeeper, and #PrattKeeping have flooded the internet.

We joined in on the fun last week, too, and now we’re back with more. Our keepers just can’t get enough #PrattKeeping.

Erth's Dinosaur Zoo Live's T. Rex handles his unruly human-like dinosaurs like a boss.
« 1 of 9 »

 

Categories: Giants of the Jurassic, Zookeepers | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

10 reasons why you need to see Giants of the Jurassic

Dino fans UNITE! Giants of the Jurassic is here until Sept. 7 – if you haven’t been yet, we highly suggest you stop what you’re doing and get over here.

For now, we’ll make you envious with 10 reasons why you need to see our dinosaurs.

1. Our photobombing game is strong. Roar.

Photo by Kassi Holsomback

Photo by Kassi Holsomback

2. We occasionally scare children, but promise we don’t mean to. (Makes us giggle inside a little, though.)

Photo by Cori Higgins

Photo by Cori Higgins

3. We spit on you when you least expect it. (You know you enjoy a nice dino saliva cool-down.)

_MG_4145

4. Because this kid’s reaction says everything…

5. As punishment, our Dromaeosaurus is on public display for this shameful act. It’s a little something we call “Dino Shaming.” Bad dino.

_MG_9722-Dino on crushed car-Dino Shaming

6. We have baby dinosaurs. Seriously, who doesn’t love babies?

Photo Jun 23, 10 21 54 AM

7. Because we have the best #DallasBig sign EVER. Yep, we said it.

Don't worry, baby giraffe Kipenzi is photoshopped in there.

Don’t worry, baby giraffe Kipenzi is photoshopped in there.

8. We let people sit on top of us for pictures. (Preferably children. We’re not as strong as we look.)

Photo by Airenne Anderson

Photo by Airenne Anderson

9. And then… we eat them.

Photo by Candace Barnes

Photo by Candace Barnes

10. Because we’re dinosaurs and dinosaurs are cool.

_MG_2549-4x6

An added bonus: If you’re lucky enough, you can get up-close and personal with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live’s state-of-the-art puppets. Then catch a show on the Cat Green stage. And we know you’re lucky enough.

_MG_0119-CB

 

 

 

Categories: Giants of the Jurassic | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Giant dinosaurs roar into Dallas Zoo this spring

The biggest zoo in Texas gets even BIGGER on April 1 with the opening of the Giants of the Jurassic exhibit, featuring more than 20 roaring, animatronic dinosaurs, plus the world-renowned, interactive theater puppet experience of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live.

An 18-foot-tall, 43-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex that moves and roars is one of more than 20 dinosaurs in our upcoming Giants of the Jurassic exhibit./Billings Productions Inc.

An 18-foot-tall, 43-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex that moves and roars is one of more than 20 dinosaurs in our upcoming Giants of the Jurassic exhibit./Billings Productions Inc.

Our popular SOAR wildlife show also is being rethemed. The stars of the “DinoSOAR” show, presented by Kimberly-Clark, will highlight the connection between dinosaurs and modern-day animals.

As one of our continuing efforts to give back to the community, the $500,000 exhibit will be free with zoo admission, so guests pay no additional charge to explore the land before time. It runs from April 1 through Sept. 7.

“Who doesn’t love dinosaurs?” said Gregg Hudson, Dallas Zoo’s president and CEO. “All the way until Labor Day, our guests will not only see some of our era’s biggest animals, such as elephants, giraffes, lions and tigers, but also a T-rex, a Stegosaurus and much more.”

Massive Triceratop will joing the dinosaur lineup./Billings Productions Inc.

Massive Triceratop will joing the dinosaur lineup./Billings Productions Inc.

Dinosaurs will include Tyrannosaurus rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus and baby, Orinthomimus, Amargasaurus and baby, six Compsognathus, Baryonyx, Quetzalcoatlus, Dilophosaurus and baby, Parasaurolophus and its nest, Triceratops, Megalosaurus, Carnotaurus and Coelophysis.

In addition, zoogoers can explore raised “dig box” and fossil boxes, operate a robotic Dimetrodon, put together a large wooden dinosaur skeleton, and say “cheese” with a very photogenic Tyrannosaurus rex. The exhibit will be spread across the area of ZooNorth known as Picnic Ridge, but renamed Raptor Ridge for the summer.

“The Zoo’s newest attraction will be one of the most comprehensive dinosaur experiences in the country,” said Sean Greene, Dallas Zoo’s vice president of guest experiences. “We’ve talked about this for many years at the Zoo, and now guests can experience a variety of prehistoric-themed programs that will really set Giants of the Jurassic apart from other dinosaur exhibits.”

In the new DinoSOAR show, which runs several times a day Wednesdays-Sundays in the Wildlife Amphitheater, exotic animals help the zoo’s “paleontologist” search for fossils to complete a dinosaur skeleton. DinoSOAR includes unique birds, including an African crowned crane, hadada ibis, Harris hawk, trumpeter hornbill, Eurasian eagle owl, toco toucan and a bald eagle. And two new faces are Fred and Ginger, capybara siblings who weigh almost 100 pounds each. (Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, and scientists believe they are distantly related to giant ground sloths that once grew to 20 feet long.) Another addition is Willow, an American beaver.

Dinosaurs also will be key elements of the zoo’s educational programs and summer camps, and special dinosaur-themed events and birthday parties will be available.

Brachiosaurus/Billings Productions Inc.

Brachiosaurus/Billings Productions Inc.

The special engagement of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live will include special 30-minute shows four times a day, on Thursdays through Mondays. The immensely popular, international experiential theatre production features a large-scale cast of dinosaur puppets brought to life by sophisticated design and presentation and puppet mastery. The production, created in Australia, will feature an array of dinosaurs on a special stage, including the awesome Tyrannosaurus rex and the peaceful giant Triceratops, which was created by Erth uniquely for the North American tour. These lifelike recreations connect children to paleontology in a fun and informative setting, as guests meet a menagerie of insects, mammals and dinosaurs that once roamed the planet millions of years ago.

The North American tour of Dinosaur Zoo Live is produced by Red Tail Entertainment. Founded by Phillip Drayer, Red Tail produces live entertainment and a variety of live performances by headline entertainers throughout the United States. The company recently produced the national tour of Scooby Doo Live! Musical Mysteries, a live musical designed specifically for children, and A Night with Janis Joplin on Broadway in 2013-14. Its subsidiary company, 35 Concerts, presents concerts by notable entertainers such as Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and many more at venues throughout the U.S.

WATCH the suspense in 30 seconds.

Categories: Conservation, Education, Events, Exhibits and Experiences, Giants of the Jurassic, Reptiles and Amphibians | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments

Brought to you by the Dallas Zoo