February 25, 2025

The discovery of an 80% complete fossil in Wyoming, USA, is a global sensation that has caught the attention of paleontologists, dinosaur enthusiasts, and the media – all eyes are now on Lolland.

Kicking off the season on March 29, the Museum of Evolution presents Denmark’s first-ever exhibition of a 7-meter-long, 3-meter-tall dinosaur with its distinctive tail spikes and large back plates. The Stegosaurus, species Hesperosaurus mjosi, roamed the Earth during the late Jurassic period, approximately 157–152 million years ago.

At the Museum of Evolution, the Stegosaurus will be one of the main attractions of the 2025 season. It is displayed alongside an array of other dinosaurs in this world-class museum. These include the predatory Allosaurus, the long-necked Camarasaurus, and three of the most important horned dinosaurs – Triceratops, Torosaurus, and the world’s only Lokiceratops. Together, they form Europe’s finest collection of authentic dinosaur skeletons on display.

The World Turns Its Gaze to Lolland

In collaboration with its paleontological partners in the USA, the Museum of Evolution discovered the Stegosaurus in the American state of Wyoming back in May 2022, when no one yet knew how sensational the find truly was. In the following years, intensive research revealed last summer that the Stegosaurus is one of the most intact – if not the most intact – specimens of its kind in the world, with approximately 80% of its bones preserved.

Although the Stegosaurus is only now being displayed in its entirety, Fox News and ABC News have covered parts of the restoration process in the USA, and TV2 Øst is set to release a documentary about the Stegosaurus in March and April 2025.

A similar Stegosaurus fossil from the state of Colorado was sold last year for no less than 45 million dollars (approximately 325 million DKK) at auction in New York. However, the Museum of Evolution’s fossil is a research object and therefore cannot be sold.

An Iconic and Misunderstood Dinosaur

The Museum of Evolution is an integral part of Knuthenborg Safaripark. Director Christoffer Knuth states:
"Our aim is to tell the story of the connection between the great animals of the past and the present, to fascinate our guests, and to increase the love for nature. Now we have four of the five most famous and iconic dinosaurs."

The Stegosaurus is one of the most iconic animals ever to have walked the Earth. No other animal resembles a Stegosaurus, and its unique appearance makes it instantly recognizable to children. It is also one of the most misunderstood dinosaurs. Originally, it was believed that its back plates lay flat – which is why it was nicknamed "Roof Lizard." Later, however, it was discovered that the plates should stand upright.

Its head is very small, and the brain is said to have weighed only 80 grams, leading many to believe for a long time that it was the least intelligent dinosaur. Today, it is generally recognized that this conclusion may not be entirely accurate.

The Stegosaurus will be given the name "Stephanie" – even though its gender remains unknown.