VANDALS have destroyed a unique dinosaur attraction which opened in the Vale of Glamorgan – only a month ago.
A small collection of people were seen walking into the Fonmon Castle estate from the Kenson River area before proceeding to the Dinosaur Wood where, once inside the wood, they completely destroyed two unique baby Tyrannosaurus displays.
The incident was believed to have happened after the park was closed to visitors on Sunday, August 30.
Police have appealed for information and help is needed to help return the missing baby T-Rex.
The new visitor attraction, which includes a living history medieval village, dinosaur park, nature walks and a wedding venue, has proved popular with families throughout South Wales since it opened in July this year.
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Step Through Time @ Fonmon Castle is run by Game of Thrones actor and living history expert Ross O’Hennessy.
Project creator and project manager, Mr O'Hennessy said: “One of the baby T-Rex was smashed into pieces and only small parts of the other one has been found.
“They were part of a very unique collection of T-Rex that formed probably the only full family collection in the UK.
"Eye witnesses saw the people leave the park via the Kenson river which is very sad for us as it could possible point to the fact that they could be local or at the very least that they had local knowledge to know how to access our estate from those areas.
“The displays are worth thousands as they are the very latest anatomically correct dinosaur models.
“The local support from our Facebook posts have been fantastic with so many of our visitors shocked that such vandalism could be done to something that was creating such joy to the families of South Wales.”
Mr Hennessy added: “I am disappointed.
“It is such a blow to any business but on top of the covid problems we have had this year it just creates more upset in an already difficult world.
“The one baby T-Rex is still missing.
“It is possible that it is being kept as a trophy in somebody's house.
“It would be fantastic if we could locate it.”
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said: “South Wales Police received a report of criminal damage and theft, which occurred at Fonmon Castle’s dinosaur attraction overnight on Sunday, August 30/Monday, August 31.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting occurrence 2000317944.”
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