From April to October 2025, Auckland Zoo allowed visitors to travel back in time more than 250 million years with its incredible Dinosaur Discovery Track.
This immersive experience, set in the zoo’s former elephant habitat, featured 25 large-scale animatronic dinosaurs created by the world-renowned experts at The Dinosaur Company; lighting and effects were provided by Highlite distributor KEL- PLS.
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On the Dinosaur Discovery Track, visitors encountered species from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, such as the feathered Utahraptor, the aquatic Baryonyx, the powerful Tyrannosaurus Rex, and the horned Pachyrhinosaurus. These spectacular replicas moved, roared, and even sprayed water, bringing prehistoric creatures to life at Auckland Zoo.
To highlight their immense size and create an unforgettable atmosphere, the dinosaurs were dramatically illuminated with 36 Showtec Cameleon Flood 6 Q4 fixtures, 12 Showtec Cameleon Flood 15 Q4 fixtures, and 7 Showtec Cameleon Flood 15 Q6 Tour fixtures, while three Antari IP1600 smoke machines added a primal, mist-filled ambience. Highlite distributor Lighting for Entertainment Group KEL- PLS supplied all the equipment.
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Visitors also enjoyed interactive fossil digs, used QR codes for audio guides and augmented reality experiences, and learned about dinosaur evolution and extinction through daily talks by the zoo’s keepers. Dinosaur rangers appeared throughout the trail, sparking conversations about conservation and the connection between extinct species and today’s wildlife.
Dinosaurs are a gateway to nature and conservation. We hope this experience has inspired visitors to protect today’s wildlife to prevent extinction, summarized the zoo’s director, Kevin Buley.
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