by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Prehistoric dinosaurs and mammals are back at the Museum of Science and History, roaring louder than ever.
Entering into MOSH’s latest exhibit “Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals,” is like going back to when dinosaurs and ice age mammals ruled the Earth. Murals, trees and even snow make up the landscape for over 16 animatronic prehistoric creatures. The exhibit opened Saturday and the dinosaurs won’t be leaving until Oct. 14.
“We were happy to be able to offer a big exhibit for the holiday weekend,” said Kristi Ballinger, public relations manager for the Museum of Science and History. “It is the kick-off to summer.”
Ballinger said the opening of the exhibit went very well and the museum was busy for a holiday weekend. Blockbuster exhibits such as this one are at the museum through the fall months to make it available for school field trips. But children who are registered for the museum’s summer camps will all have a chance to see the exhibit. Ballinger said some of the camps are specifically about dinosaurs, but all campers will have an opportunity to see the exhibit.
The museum hosted a dinosaur exhibit about two years ago and broke its attendance records. Ballinger said they are hoping to draw 70,000 visitors over the next five months.
Even though dinosaurs roamed MOSH a few years ago, this is the first time in five years that the museum has hosted both dinosaurs and ice age mammals.
“We wanted to incorporate both of them together,” said Ballinger. “People love dinosaurs and they are fascinated by them.”
Japan-based Kokoro produces the exhibit. They have offices in Japan and Los Angeles and the exhibit travels throughout the country.
“They (Kokoro) are the best,” she said. “The way they (the dinosaurs) feel and look are very realistic. They will change the models to reflect new scientific evidence if they need to.”
The animatronic creatures are handcrafted and each model is based on fossil records to assure its authenticity. Each one has an internal computer to make it move and sound like it would have millions of years ago.
Some of the dinosaurs in the exhibit include an 18-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex and a 21-foot-tall female Maiasaura who is watching over her nest. There is also a 10-foot Woolly Mammoth and Giant Ground Sloths.
Funding for an exhibit as elaborate as “Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals” comes from both the museum’s budget and fundraisers. Ballinger said animatronic exhibits can cost about $100,000. One of the museum’s two big fundraisers is June 9, “The One & Only Genuine Original MOSH Party” and is geared more towards families, while the museum’s X-Benefit, held in the fall, is more for adults.
“Those two fundraisers go towards our educational programming,” said Ballinger.
Museum hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is $9 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens and military, $7 for children ages 3-12, free for children 2 and under and MOSH members.