Zoo Teams Up with Colossal Fossils For Natural History Program
Dinosaur and fossil-lovers will have a chance to learn more about ancient history at an upcoming event.
[Like dinosaurs? Check out Jurustic Park in Marshfield]
The Wildwood Zoo is teaming up with Wausau non-profit Colossal Fossils to provide an hands-on educational experience, “Dinosaur Days,” for families and school groups alike.
“The Wildwood Zoological Society is extremely excited for Colossal Fossils to be coming to Marshfield,” said treasurer Brandi Reed. Funds raised from the event benefit both organizations.
A Wausau-based natural history museum founded in 2011, Colossal Fossils creates informal science programs for kids throughout Wisconsin. Their mission, said Executive Director David Daniels, is to inspire them to “develop an interest in our amazing planet.”
At the event, kids will learn more about Wisconsin history, dinosaurs, and ice age mammals in a variety of hands-on activities and games.
“In-depth tours will introduce families to Esther, a saber-tooth cat that specialized in hunting extremely large prey. They will also have an opportunity to touch and hold real fossils that are from the state of Wisconsin, including a jellyfish fossil that is estimated to be half a billion years old!” said Daniels.
Kids will get to touch a replica of two million year-old ancestral footprints, learn about Stan the Tyrannosaurus Rex, meet a bird that’s half-dinosaur, and take home an imprint of a mammoth tooth. They can also search for fossil shark teeth and browse the gift shop.
Families will learn about glaciers and the Great Lakes, two important parts of Wisconsin’s geological history.
School groups must reserve a time slot, and also welcome are Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Admission at the Wildwood Pavilion is $10/person (special rates for school groups), and kids three and under get in free. Times are February 16 from 9-7 p.m. and February 17 from 9-4 p.m.
