Dinosaurs Dominate the Black Mountains, Overwhelming the Region with a Prehistoric Invasion
In the heart of Rosengarten lies the Wildpark Schwarze Berge, a captivating haven where time travel is no longer just a dream. Here, visitors traverse a mesmerizing one-kilometer-long pathway, teeming with 120 life-sized dinosaur replicas. From the menacing T-Rex to the colossal Diplodocus, these prehistoric giants leave many guests awestruck, evoking memories of Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park.
Nathalie Albers from Heimfeld is one such guest, accompanied by her nine-year-old son, Henry. They often spend entire days engrossed in this enclosed forest paradise over school holidays. "It's an extraordinary experience," she gushes, her eyes sparkling with delight.
The Wildpark Schwarze Berge has meticulously crafted and placed these dinosaur and prehistoric animal models in their original sizes across the pathway. Their collaboration with the Dinosaurier Freilichtmuseum Münchehagen ensured the models are made from fiberglass and adhere to the latest paleontological findings.
As you venture deeper, Lars Otten, the manager of the 60-hectare park in Lüneburger Heide with 1,200 living animals, reveals that there's a hidden connection between the past and present. "If you look closely, you'll find astonishing similarities between the prehistoric flying reptiles and our modern birds of prey," he explains.
Informative boards scatter the route, shedding light on the forgotten lineage that led to today's creatures. For instance, the armored turtle and the spiky hedgehog share the same defensive features as their dinosaur counterparts. Little researchers can also indulge in dinosaur excavations, uncovering fossils in the sand, unearthing dinosaur skeletons, or designing their favorite dinosaur during the journey.
Beyond these physical similarities, the Wildpark Schwarze Berge seems to celebrate the intriguing process of convergent evolution – where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. A prime example of this astonishing process can be seen in the aerodynamic capabilities and lightweight skeletons, essential for both the flight of prehistoric flying reptiles like pterosaurs and modern birds of prey.
Nathalie Albers and her son Henry, having been captivated by the Wildpark Schwarze Berge's dinosaur-filled landscape, often embrace a lifestyle that combines home-and-garden, school holidays, and sustainable-living by spending entire days within this enclosed forest paradise. Throughout their journey, they discover that prehistoric creatures and modern species share striking similarities, signifying a connection between the past and present that extends beyond physical appearance, a testament to the fascinating concept of convergent evolution.
