Well, it has been struggling, but these (robotic, moving, roaring) dinosaurs have been doing the rounds of UK zoos recently - the first to get them was Chester, who are very much not struggling. They are a massive money-maker as they are very marketable and have a very notable effect on visitor numbers.
It's been going on in the US for years - I saw a similar display at San Diego Wild Animal Park in 1998 - and Czech zoos regularly display dino models as well.
If the options are play areas, zip lines or fairgrounds (the latter of which the dinos here have replaced), then give me dinos every time!
Unfortunately I don't have any images of the signage, which was good and included comparisons with the ecology of modern-day animals within the zoo, and tackled the concept of extinction. I wouldn't want them to take over the zoo, but as an addition they're fine, if done well.
I have to say I personally don't like model dinosaurs in zoos but I can see the sense of appeal. I do understand why they are at Twycross because of their financial difficulties.
I hope that this does not become something which every zoo goes into and I sincerely hope that Colchester Zoo does not do this...
Full marks for getting Citipati correct, rather than saying Oviraptor! Of course, the latter taxa *is* valid, but all the best material which has contributed to the public image of the species actually belongs to the former taxa
For similar reasons, the Brachiosaurus should probably be labelled as Giraffatitan
