2 minute read
Experience the Calgary Zoo
Just before noon, after traipsing through the ‘jungle’ for much of the morning, we crested the hill and came face-to-face with the terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex. Frozen with fear, we just stood there, mouths open, and marveled at his size. He stood over five meters tall, weighed over 10,000 kilograms, and had razor-sharp teeth the size of bananas. Just then, a gory scene from Jurassic Park flashed through my mind. And I reached out to my children and held them close.
Photo By: Andrew Penner
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Yes, dinosaur encounters are somewhat rare these days. But at the Calgary Zoo, thanks to the dozen, or so, dinosaur replicas that “lurk” in the Prehistoric Park, you can certainly imagine what life was like during the Mesozoic Era.
While the awe-inspiring Tyrannosaurus rex is, perhaps, the main star attraction at the Prehistoric Park (your entrance into the zoo includes unlimited access to the park), there are many other dinosaurs that will grab your attention...and take you back in time. Besides the massive T. rex, the park boasts, among others, a Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, Plesiosaurus, and a Centrosaurus. The family-friendly park, was constructed
to replicate what life was like during the ancient dinosaur age. It also includes plenty of interpretive stops that provide insight into this fascinating era.
Photo By: Andrew Penner
Over 100 species of plants, more than any other park in the city, complement the variety of landscapes and add a unique authenticity to experiencing the Prehistoric Park. Swampland, hoodoos, badlands, volcanoes, and fossil beds have all been incorporated into the 6.5-acre park. Water cannons, a stage for special events, dino digs, and plenty of interpreters eager to share stories of this awe-inspiring era are also highlights.
Unquestionably, Alberta is a hotbed for dinosaur tourism and palaeontology. (And, definitely, a visit to Drumheller and the Royal Tyrell Museum is a must!) True, we will never be able to go back in time and really experience what it would have been like to walk – or run for your life! – among living and breathing dinosaurs. However, thanks to the Prehistoric Park at the Calgary Zoo, the experience is just about as close as one could come.
Photos and Story By: Andrew Penner
The Calgary Zoo Prehistoric Park is open from the March 22, 2019 until October 31st each year. Opens daily at 9am, with last entrance at 5:45pm. Entrance to the Prehistoric Park is included in the general admission. Admission fees are $29.95 for ages 16-59 years, $27.95 for seniors (60+) and $19.95 for children (3-15 years)
