The Trolls are coming. And they need your help.
Six young Trolls are on a mission to save the humans.
The Trolls believe humans have forgotten a few important things.
How to listen. How to care. How to live in harmony with nature. As they prepare for their arrival, they've left messages for you throughout the Zoo. Visit the Zoo, decode their messages, and discover what each Troll is searching for before winter arrives.
Coming November 14, 2026 - February 13, 2027 to the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
MEET THE TROLLS
Thomas Dambo TROLLS: Save the Humans is an outdoor traveling exhibition featuring six larger-than-life Troll sculptures by acclaimed artist Thomas Dambo. Built from reclaimed materials, the Trolls bring together art, storytelling, and environmental stewardship.
The young Trolls have noticed that the "small people’’, which is what the Trolls call the humans, are disconnected from nature and have started harming the planet — their own home! Through activism, the goal of the tribe is to help the humans rediscover nature and inspire them to be good stewards of Earth. The Trolls will teach people that you can change the world in a positive way with your own hands and your own trash. Each Troll brings a story to tell the humans through their unique personalities.
The Trolls will visit Canada for the first time this winter at Assiniboine Park Zoo.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
MEET THE ARTIST
Thomas Dambo is considered the world’s leading recycle artist, having been taught from a young age the value of recycling, sustainability, and unlimited imagination. Before embarking on the path of building larger-than-life sculptures, Thomas led a multifaceted life that allowed him to express his creativity via music, street art, and scenic design. After graduating from the Kolding Design School with a master’s degree in interactive design, Thomas began his journey of using recycled materials to create colorful art installations, building the foundation for his artwork today.
Thomas’ high level of creativity, design acumen, and versatility drive the creation of highly interactive experiences, allowing users to express their own individuality on a large scale. This philosophy can be found in works such as his Happy Alphabet, Happy Wall and Future Forest. From vibrant gardens made of recycled plastics to a functioning Christmas market made from commercial refuse, Thomas creates experiences that are immersive, interactive, and awe-inspiring.
Today, Thomas is known internationally for his larger-than-life troll sculptures made from recycled wood. With 87 sculptures all over the world, these trolls have begun to have a life of their own. Popping up in Denmark, USA, France, Germany, China, South Korea, Chile, and many more on the way, the message of sustainability and unlimited imagination have reached millions through in person visits, shared photos, and international media coverage.
Thomas’ vision is to create art that inspires people to go explore, have adventures in nature, and demonstrates that trash can be turned into something beautiful.
