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JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts inspires new Natural History Museum exhibition

Written by on 26/10/2020

Creatures dreamt up by Harry Potter author JK Rowling are the inspiration behind a new exhibition which will explore the natural, mythical and wizarding worlds.

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Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder Of Nature was originally due to open at the Natural History Museum in London in May, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It explores how legends and stories have been inspired by creatures in the natural world and the threats they face.

When the exhibition opens on 9 December, visitors will be able to see legendary beasts alongside specimens and historic objects from the museum’s renowned scientific collection.

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them was a 2016 film starring Eddie Redmayne which was written by Rowling as a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter series.

A sequel, The Crimes Of Grindelwald, was released in 2018.

Clare Matterson, executive director of engagement at the museum, said visitors “will journey through magical realms and walk alongside some of the most fascinating creatures in the world”.

She added: “At the heart of this exhibition is a celebration of all the fantastic beasts we have the privilege of sharing our planet with, and the very real threats they face.

“Visitors will leave with a renewed love of the wonders of nature, and a revived urgency to help protect it.”

The Natural History Museum reopened this summer – but has had to plan for around a fifth of its usual number of visitors due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

(c) Sky News 2020: JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts inspires new Natural History Museum exhibition