March 30, 2022

A sensational new dinosaur discovery has arrived in Denmark: The world’s best-preserved skeleton of the Jurassic era’s most fearsome predator, Allosaurus. This genuine skeleton, approximately 155 million years old, is being exhibited for the first time in what will eventually become the country’s largest permanent dinosaur exhibition with real skeletons at Knuthenborg Safari Park.

The skeleton, nicknamed Big Joe, has arrived at Lolland’s Knuthenborg Safari Park. While its nickname may sound endearing, few would want to cuddle with this deadly predator.

At nine meters long and weighing 1.5 tons in its prime, Big Joe was a Jurassic killing machine. Its mouth was lined with sharp teeth to tear through prey, and its muscular legs allowed it to outrun any target. Today, some 155 million years later, Big Joe remains the best-preserved Allosaurus skeleton from the Jurassic period, with over 95% of its bones intact.

A Reign of Terror

The gigantic Allosaurus dominated the Earth for more than 10 million years. Not only did it kill any prey it encountered, but it also kept the early Tyrannosaurus family in check, preventing them from growing into serious competitors.

The Wings of Evolution

Big Joe joins Knuthenborg Safari Park alongside ten other impressive skeletons of animals from the Permian period, long before the age of dinosaurs. These rare specimens tell the fascinating story of the evolution of large animals, bridging the prehistoric world with the living creatures in the park today.

"The exhibition of Big Joe marks the beginning of a natural history collection that, alongside the Dinosaur Forest and the park’s live animals, offers guests an evolution-based nature experience. We hope to inspire visitors to care for animals and nature in the future," says Christoffer Knuth, director of Knuthenborg Safari Park.

A Contribution to Science

Knuthenborg Safari Park has a strong ambition for its new collection of natural history skeletons to actively contribute to scientific research. The park collaborates closely with one of Denmark’s leading dinosaur experts, Jesper Milán, a curator at Geomuseum Faxe and paleontologist.

"It’s incredible that such groundbreaking skeletons are coming to Knuthenborg Safari Park. I’m excited that we can now conduct research in Denmark on not just a predatory dinosaur but also the other unique skeletons from the pre-dinosaur era," says Milán.

Denmark’s Largest Dinosaur Exhibition

Dimetrodon, Allosaurus, and T. rex were rulers of their respective eras. The new exhibition will also feature two authentic skeletons of the 299-million-year-old Permian predator Dimetrodon. Meanwhile, visitors can experience an animatronic T. rex in the park’s Dinosaur Forest.

With its fearsome reputation, it’s only fitting that Allosaurus takes center stage in a brand-new exhibition hall. Over time, Big Joe will be joined by other dinosaurs, building Denmark’s largest permanent dinosaur exhibition.

Dinosaurs Live On

While the age of dinosaurs is long over, they are not entirely extinct. Modern birds are direct descendants of Jurassic dinosaurs. Visitors to Knuthenborg Safari Park can see this connection firsthand with ostriches and emus wandering the grounds.