Crystal Palace dinosaurs to be saved from extinction

A group of famous dinosaurs face extinction, but this time not by an asteroid.

The much-loved life-size dinosaur statues which have sprawled across Crystal Palace Park for more than a century have been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

The 30 dinosaurs have thrilled visitors for 166 years but now large cracks are appearing in their bodies and limbs, with some in danger of losing toes, teeth and tails.

The cause of the deterioration is not yet understood, but it is suspected ground movement on the artificial islands which are home to the monsters and changing water levels in the surrounding lakes have contributed to their demise.

Dr Ellinor Michel, chairwoman of Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, said: “We’ve been working for years to improve the future for this site which is one of the most important in the history of science with the support of many thousands of dinosaur friends locally and around the globe.

“Whilst it is distressing that the sculptures need to be called ‘at risk’ it is the best way for them to get the professional conservation work they need.

“Thank you, Historic England the future suddenly looks brighter for the birthplace of ‘Dinomania’.

By adding the sculptures to the Heritage at Risk Register, Historic England plans to raise awareness of their plight and is focusing attention on their repair and conservation.

The project will be led by Bromley council as part of a major regeneration of Crystal Palace Park.

Specialist conservation work was carried out in 2003 and 2016-17 thanks to the council, the Mayor of London, the National Lottery and partnership funding, and a major research project and survey work is needed to try to get to the bottom of the problems and find a long-term solution.

The sculptures were the creation of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, a natural history artists of the Victorian era.

At the time of their construction in 1852-5, these strange creatures would have been an extraordinary sight.

The term ‘dinosaur’ had only been coined 10 years previously, and the endeavour to bring life-size extinct animals to the general public was considered radical.

Historic England said the sculptures were internationally important, and represented the first major outreach project worldwide of science as ‘edutainment’ – the democratisation of science.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “These wonderful creatures are in a state of disrepair and require significant conservation works.

“We don’t want them to become extinct again. By adding them to our Heritage at Risk Register, we can focus attention on them and ensure a lasting programme of repairs and on-going maintenance is carried out.

“Working in partnership with Bromley council and the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, we hope to secure their long-term future.”

Pictured top: The Crystal Palace dinosaurs