Get ready for a summer of prehistoric proportions at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo when Dinosaurs! returns on May 9.
Brought to life by the magic of animatronics, the 21 dino displays feature 15 different species, six of which will be making their Zoo debut, including Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest winged creatures that ever lived, and Troodon, one of the first fossilized dinosaurs found in North America. They will be appearing alongside returning favorites such as the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex and the towering Brachiosaurus.
Guests will be taken back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth as the shores of the Zoo's Waterfowl Lake rumble with the sounds of these prehistoric creatures. Built by Billings Productions, Inc. of McKinney, Texas, the robotic dinosaurs use air pistons and state-of-the art electronics under steel frames covered with detailed foam rubber skin to simulate their lifelike appearance.
�Dinosaurs! is one of the most popular seasonal exhibits we've ever brought to the Zoo,� said Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. �We haven't had them here for a couple of summers and we received a lot of requests from guests to bring them back.�
Dinosaurs! opens May 9 and runs daily through September 15. Admission to the special exhibit is just $3.50 per person with regular Zoo admission or $2 per person for Zoo members. Admission is free for children younger than 2.
The road to summer continues on May 10 when camel rides start at Kookaburra Station in Australian Adventure, followed by the return of Professor Wylde's Live Animal Show on May 25 in the Savanna Theater. This year, the Professor is �Lost in Africa� with a pirate whose ship has washed ashore.
Professor Wylde's show blends humor, fast-paced facts and an all-star animal cast to engage audiences of all ages. The show is performed three times daily through September 2 and is free with regular Zoo admission.
Guests who want an even closer view of the action can register for a Show Cameo with Professor Wylde and get in on the act themselves! It's an amazing hands-on experience for a guest who's 12 or older that includes a backstage tour for the guest's family or friends after the show.
Australia's native animals are in the spotlight at The Ballarat Theatre in Australian Adventure for a daily show from May 25 through September 2. Guests might see a kookaburra, a wallaby or a bearded dragon during this Get Close encounter.
Summer at the Zoo also means the return of giraffe feeding opportunities on the deck above their African Savanna yard. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, between May 25 and September 2, guests can purchase romaine lettuce leaves to feed to the Zoo's herd of Masai giraffes.
Guests can also see shark feeding demonstrations, seal and sea lion training demonstrations and elephant crossings at African Elephant Crossing, listen to the animal keepers during Meet the Keeper sessions, feed a lorikeet in the Australian Adventure aviary or take a ride on the Boomerang Railway!
Northeast Ohio's most-visited year-round attraction, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $12.25 per person, $8.25 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 90 and 480.
For more information, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.
