Derby attraction opting for alternative to repairing lightning-damaged dinosaur

DERBY, Kan. (KWCH) - Field Station: Dinosaurs said the animatronic dinosaur that caught fire last weekend due to a lightning strike won’t be repaired, at least not for now. An official with the Derby attraction cited costs as the main obstacle, with current tariffs and replacement parts coming from China.

The park’s plan instead calls for the creation of an educational exhibit around the frame of the fire-damaged dinosaur, showing how animatronics, like the life-sized, realistic and moving dinosaurs displayed throughout the attraction, come together.

At Field Station: Dinosaurs, the Derby Fire Department managed to prevent Saturday night’s fire from spreading to other dinosaurs. The dinosaur that couldn’t be saved was a three-story sauroposeidon.

While saddened by the loss, the staff at Field Station: Dinosaurs said they’re grateful that crews acted quickly, stopping Saturday night’s fire from spreading.

“The first dinosaur fire in almost 63 million years, you know, they had to be on their game,” said Field Station: Dinosaurs Operations Manager Steven Howe.