An animatronic of Oxalaia quilombensis, one of the most important dinosaurs ever described in Brazil, measuring five meters high and 15 meters long, has been adorning the front of the National Museum, in Quinta da Boa Vista, in São Cristóvão, north of Rio de Janeiro, since this Sunday (14). An animatronic is a doll that is remotely controlled and designed to imitate the appearance and movements of living beings. Related news: Rio Art Museum displays an exhibition by South African artist Zanele Muholi. Award-winning Brazilian director bets on cinema to change realities. Eliana Alves Cruz wins ABL award for Best Fiction of 2025. The replica of the dinosaur was donated to the National Museum by Parque Terra dos Dinos, located in Miguel Pereira, in the south-central region of Rio de Janeiro. The National Museum is the oldest Brazilian scientific institution, 208 years old, and is administered by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Oxalaia quilombensis belongs to the Spinosauridae group and lived around 95 million years ago on Cajual Island, in Maranhão. Considered one of the largest predators ever recorded in Brazil, the dinosaur had predominantly piscivorous habits and was adapted to capturing fish in aquatic and coastal environments. Paleontologist Juliana Sayão, deputy director of the National Museum, informed that the specimen of Oxalaia quilombensis will remain in front of the equipment until August, and will later be taken to the entrance of the Visitor Center, known as National Museum Station, to welcome groups scheduled to visit the permanent exhibition. >> Follow the Agência Brasil channel on WhatsApp Recognition Juliana highlighted that the donation reflects recognition of the contribution of the National Museum/UFRJ to the scientific curation of Parque Terra dos Dinos. The partnership between the museum and the park emerged during the project design phase, in Miguel Pereira, aiming to guarantee scientific rigor to the content presented to visitors. Since the park's implementation, the National Museum has technically monitored the project, curated by Professor Alexander Kellner, paleontologist and former director of the National Museum. According to the deputy director, one of the highlights about the dinosaur species is that it was described by paleontologists from the National Museum, including a doctoral student from the Postgraduate Program in Zoology at UFRJ (PPGZoo). For Juliana, this “reinforces our institution’s commitment to science, education and human resources training”. Juliana also recalled that part of the original fossil, which was deposited at the National Museum, was rescued during work at the São Cristóvão Palace, after the 2018 fire, with joint funding from the Ministry of Education (MEC), UFRJ and the German government.