The Assiniboine Park Zoo is bringing back its Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit in 2017, with a new yet-to-be-unveiled dinosaur joining the pack.

The Zoo is also giving children a chance to win a free trip to the Zoo for the official opening of the exhibit and premier of this mystery dinosaur.

Children in Grades 1-6 can enter the contest by writing a short story about what life would be like if dinosaurs still lived on earth. The Zoo says word counts should be between 250 and 500 words and the winner will win the following for their school class:

  • A free trip to the Assiniboine Park Zoo on Thursday, May 18, 2017

  • The opportunity to be part of the official opening of Dinosaurs Alive and the first to see the new dinosaur

  • Pizza lunch as the Zoo’s Tundra Grill restaurant

  • Class photo at the exhibit

Dinosaurs Alive! Will have a total of 16 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs throughout a forested path in the Zoo. The exhibit also includes a dig site and excavation site where children of all ages can discover what it’s like to be a paleontologist.

“Last year, our Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit was a huge hit with local visitors of all ages as well as tourists and we can’t wait to see it return,” Gary Lunsford, Sr. Director, Animal Care & Conservation said in a news release. “What better way to kick off the season than with the unveiling of our newest dinosaur. It’s going to be a fantastic summer at the Zoo.”

The deadline for the contest is May 1, 2017 and submissions will be accepted in English and French. Stories can be emailed, accompanied with the teacher’s name, classroom, school name and contact information to info@assiniboinepark.ca. For full contest information, visit www.assiniboinepark.ca/contests.