The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park’s “Uncle Beazley” is in need of a facelift. The life-size fiberglass triceratops was moved to the Smithsonian’s Office of Exhibits Central in Landover, Md. this morning to have his holes and cracks patched. He will also receive a new coat of UV and weather resistant paint.

“Uncle Beazley” is named after a dinosaur in the children's book The Enormous Egg, by Oliver Butterworth, and the movie adaptation, in which the statue appeared. Louis Paul Jonas created the Zoo's Uncle Beazley statue in 1967. It was subsequently donated to the Smithsonian by the Sinclair Company.

“Uncle Beazley” was initially displayed at the Zoo, then at the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum, and later at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. In 1994, “Uncle Beazley” returned to the National Zoo. He is expected to return to the Zoo in mid-March.

The restoration and maintenance of “Uncle Beazley” and his garden is made possible by a generous donation from Mara Strock in memory of her parents, Herman and Evelyn Strock.