Press Releases

Cardiff’s missing dinosaur found at National Museum Cardiff

After days of searching, the dinosaur on the loose has turned up at National Museum Cardiff, and it’s friendly after all says Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. 

Last weekend, shoppers and passers-by helped to solve the mystery of the broken statue of T. H. Thomas (1839-1915) – a founding father of the National Museum of Wales and the first person to discover any evidence of dinosaurs in Wales. It became apparent that the damage to the statue, broken shop windows and coprolite (dinosaur poo) in the centre of town, and footprints and ripped banner outside National Museum Cardiff, were all caused by a roaming dinosaur.

 

Experts at National Museum Cardiff have confirmed that this new dinosaur, which has now made a home for itself at National Museum Cardiff, was a friendly dinosaur protecting its babies. It has similar features to those of Dracoraptor – the Welsh dinosaur which was scientifically described last year. Dracoraptor was one of the earliest of the meat-eating theropod dinosaurs and a small agile hunter, while the dinosaur on the loose in Cardiff is a much larger meat-eater.

 

The dinosaur, which has been on the loose since last Thursday, now invites the public to visit National Museum Cardiff and see how dinosaur families lived millions of years ago. Visitors can do this at the Museum’s brand new exhibition, Dinosaur Babies (27 May-5 November 2017) which is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

 

Coming to Wales for the first time, the hands-on exhibition, which forms part of Wales’s Year of Legends, gives visitors the opportunity to experience the world of dinosaur family life through their eggs, nests and embryos. There will be three real and unique, dinosaur embryos on display within eggs, as well as replica dinosaur eggs, nests and skeletons from all over the world.

 

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, said:

 

‟During Visit Wales’s Year of Legends, it’s more important than ever to connect people to Wales’s rich heritage and culture by creating exciting and immersive events and experiences. I’m delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to support this engaging programme of activity ahead of the official opening of the new fascinating exhibition – which I’m sure will prove to be a hit over the summer. 

 

‟The roaming dinosaur has created a buzz around the city and with the UEFA Champions League Dragon overseeing activities from Cardiff Castle and the Cadw Dragons keeping watch over their new baby dragons – the scene is set for a legendary summer of activities in Wales. Cadw and Amgueddfa Cymru’s collaborative Dino-Dragon partnership provides visitors to Wales with a truly unique way to explore both Wales’s geological history and legendary past through fun and engaging events.”

 

The dinosaur footprints and models seen around the city over the last week were made by Cardiff-based international model makers Specialist Models, who are thrilled to have been involved in a project on home turf. The Museum also worked closely with project managers Sarah Cole Productions who led on the City of the Unexpected, and award-winning PR agency Working Word.

 

David Anderson, Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru added:

 

“Over the last few months, we have experienced something special – a truly magnificent team effort by the Museum and local based companies who have worked tirelessly to shine a light on part of Wales’s outstanding heritage offer.

 

“Dinosaurs are legends in their own right. They have captured the public's imagination ever since the first one was scientifically described nearly two centuries ago. Our fossil and dinosaur collection at National Museum Cardiff attract hundreds of thousands of people every year and the work of our curators ensures that Wales’s collection, and our knowledge of these animals, keeps growing.”

 

Dinosaur Babies runs from 27 May to 5 November 2017 (10am-4.45pm with last entry at 4pm). Tickets can be purchased at the Museum or via ticketlineUK.com (£7 adults, £5 concessions, £3 children, £17/£13 families). Children 3 years and under can enter for free.

 

Dinosaur Babies and recent activity is supported by Visit Wales through the Tourism Product Innovation Fund, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, Western Power Distribution and SRK.

museum.wales/dinobabies

#DinoBabies

 

And once visitors have discovered Dinosaur Babies, they can continue their legendary adventure by getting up-close to their mythical relatives - the Welsh Dragon. 

 

Families and dragon-hunters alike can meet Cadw's resident Dragons, Dewi and Dwynwen, and their newborn baby dragons at Caerphilly Castle until Sunday 28 May, before Dwynwen takes the whelps on a tour of Wales.

 

To follow the Cadw Dragons' story and to find out how you can see them this summer, visit cadw.gov.wales/livethelegends and share your adventures through #LivetheLegends.