Cleveland Metroparks Zoo promises a summer of monstrous proportions with the long-awaited return of DINOSAURS! on Thursday, May 21. Back for its fourth season since 2003, DINOSAURS! will be bigger and better than ever -- featuring 18 larger-than-life robotic creatures, including some never before seen at the Zoo.
Summer 2009 at the Zoo also features an expanded butterfly immersion experience, all new adventures in Professor Wylde's Animal Show and lots more.
DINOSAURS!
This journey to prehistoric times introduces you to the powerful monsters that once ruled the earth. Through the magic of animatronic technology, DINOSAURS! brings life to the 20-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex, the 30-foot-long Iguanodon, the fierce Deinonychus and the fish-hunting Baryonyx.
Along the beautiful shores of Waterfowl Lake, DINOSAURS! 2009 features species of beasts never before displayed at the Zoo -- including the Edmontosaurus, with its thousands of razor-sharp teeth, and the Cryolophosaurus, which is often referred to as the "Elvisaurus" because the large crest atop its skull resembles the iconic hair of Elvis Presley.
The animatronic dinosaurs, including several "babies," roar and move just like they did millions of years ago. Each dinosaur is built on a steel frame by Billings Productions of McKinney, Texas, and covered with intricately painted foam rubber as skin. State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs' movements, and a booming sound system gives them their voices.
DINOSAURS! is just $1 per person with regular Zoo admission and free for Zoo members and children under 2. DINOSAURS! is open daily from Thursday, May 21, through Sunday, September 13.
FLUTTER!
This newly expanded butterfly exhibit invites you to immerse yourself into a sensory experience of sight, sounds and scents. Opening on Thursday, May 21, FLUTTER! allows you to walk among dozens -- if not hundreds -- of free-flying butterflies from around the world.
More winged beauties will be flown in weekly from South America, Africa and Asia, and visitors will be able to learn about the metamorphosis process, as butterfly cocoons and newly hatched butterflies will be displayed.
Inside the Zoo's Public Greenhouse, FLUTTER! also features opportunities to meet the butterfly keeper, soothing tunes and rare aromatic plants.
FLUTTER! is free with Zoo admission and runs Thursday, May 21, through Sunday, September 13.
Professor Wylde's Animal Show
Professor Wylde and his cast of critters return to the Zoo Amphitheater this summer with all new adventures. Professor Wylde's Animal Show runs three times daily and features an all-star cast of Zoo animals, including a white stork, African guinea fowl, greater sulfur-crested cockatoo, two-toed sloth, Egyptian vulture, Burmese python, peregrine falcon, fennec fox, scarlet macaw and a palm cockatoo.
Professor Wylde and his friends teach visitors of all ages about how the Zoo designs its exhibits in a way that's best for the animals, while also teaching about how everyone can help with the conservation of wildlife and the environment.
Professor Wylde's Animal Show runs daily starting Saturday, May 23, and continues through Monday, September 7. Show times are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
And Lots More …
There's so much Zoo to do this summer, you probably won't be able to fit it all into just one day.
The Zoo's Wolf Wilderness is now home to a pack of six young Mexican wolves, and two baby giraffes are now on exhibit daily at the Zoo's African Savanna. This summer, visitors can check out seal and sea lion training demonstrations, Get Close Animal Encounters, camel rides, lorikeet feedings and "safari rides" in the motion simulator. New for 2009, the "Guide by Cell" service allows visitors to receive text messages on their cell phones with extra information about animals and exhibits as they tour the Zoo.
Now in its 127th year, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to nearly 3,000 animals representing 600 species from six continents. You can explore the jungles of The RainForest, roam the Outback of Australian Adventure, take in the grassy plains of the African Savanna, journey through the wilds of Northern Trek, discover the exotic animals at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building and stroll along the scenic shores of Waterfowl Lake.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with hours extended to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members. Parking is free. Located at 3900 Wildlife Way, the Zoo is easily accessible from Interstates 71, 77, 90 and 480.
To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.
