New ‘roaming animatronic’ baby dinosaur at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford have announced that guests will be able to get up close this half term to a life-like baby Ankylosaurus animatronic.

This remarkable new addition isn’t just any animatronic, it’s a roaming, interactive dinosaur capable of responding directly to guests with lifelike movements and sounds. Using the latest technology, the baby Ankylosaurus can display natural behaviours, from curious head tilts to tail swishes, allowing children and families to experience a truly immersive encounter.

Ankylosaurus, meaning “fused lizard,” was a heavily armored dinosaur that lived around 66 million years ago. Known for its distinctive club-like tail and body covered in bony plates, it was one of the best-defended creatures of the late Cretaceous period.

The baby Ankylosaurus joins one of the UK’s largest collections of animatronic dinosaurs and Ice Age creatures at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, which already includes the popular Land of the Beasts and Prehistoric Park HQ experiences. The zoo hopes this new roaming addition will help inspire young visitors to learn more about pre-historic life through fun, interactive education.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World owner, Will Dorrell, said "We’re incredibly excited to introduce our new baby Ankylosaurus, Bumpy, to guests this half term. This cutting-edge animatronic brings a whole new level of realism and interactivity to Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World, children will leave thinking they have both seen and interacted with a real dinosaur. By allowing children to come face-to-face with a dinosaur that seems truly alive, we hope to spark curiosity and a lifelong interest in the pre-historic world."

Guests will be able to meet ‘Bumpy’ at scheduled times throughout October half term as part of their visit to Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World. Tickets are available at www.hoo-zoo.com