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Go on a big safari at Marwell Zoo

Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, is celebrating its 35th birthday and is inviting everyone to join in the fun during May half term with a week of special activities and birthday fun.

To kick start the fun, visitors are in for a feast this Saturday (26 May) as the Big Food Safari sets up home at the Park. Hampshire Fare food and drink stalls will be located around the Park, offering have-a-go activities, free tasters of their fabulous local delicacies along with plenty to buy to enjoy at home later.

So get ready to race a cheetah, cycle your own smoothie, get greedy by the gibbons, try garlic chutneys by the bats enclosure, have a go at cheese making by the rodents, lick ice-cream by the penguins and watch watercress cookery demos by the water birds.

Many of the local producers will also be holding cookery demonstrations and courtesy of Min Raisman of Fit2Cook and Riverford Organic Vegetables, children will be able to create their own yummy organic snacks at their specially created children's cookery workshops.

The Big Food Safari will be at the Zoo for one day only - Saturday 26 May, visit the Marwell website - www.marwell.org.uk - to see the full list of Hampshire Fare food stalls and details on how to book a place on the children's workshops.

Other activities over the half term week include:

35 years in pictures - a unique display of images following the progress of Marwell Zoo and its history. The timeline has been created by Marwell's very own children's club - the Oryx Club and is being displayed in Encounter Village.

Extended animal talks and 'Keeper Encounters' - a chance to meet the Zoos keepers, and find out more about the animals. No pre booking is necessary and all of the activities are completely free. The talks start on Tuesday 29th May till Friday 1st June.

Into Africa - Giraffe Talk. Back due to popular demand! Did you know that a kick from a giraffe can kill a lion? Take a walk 'Into Africa' and find out more amazing facts about the tallest animals on the planet. Meet at Into Africa at 11.00.

Tigers in Trouble. The Amur tiger is the largest of all the cats. With only 400 Amur tigers left in the wild, these beautiful creatures may soon become extinct. Join us to discover what we are doing to help save the species before it's too late. Meet at the Amur tiger enclosure at 11.30.

Sulawesi Crested Macaques Talk. A range of primates call Marwell home but the macaques are the cheekiest of them all: their cheeks are as big as their stomachs! Come and join us to find out why their pink bottoms and funny hair are such important characteristics for the survival of the species. Meet in front of the Macaque island at 12.30

Rhino Ramblings. The ancestor of the rhino weighed 20,000 kg and was as tall as a giraffe. Come and join our Rhino Ranger to find out more interesting facts about our rhinos and discover how rhino's 'crash!' Meet next to the Rhino enclosure at 1.00

Don't forget to stop off at the Ark gift shop and take a look at the Zoo's specially created shop window featuring a huge birthday cake.

The Zoo would be delighted to receive a birthday card. Children - why not design your own?

Admission to The Big Food Safari is included in the entrance fee to Marwell Zoo. A small additional charge for some workshops may apply.

Marwell Zoological Park is open daily from 10am. Marwell Zoo is near Winchester, and is easy to find by following the brown tourist signs from the M3 or M27.

Notes to editors

Photo Caption:

Kangaroo feeding on browse

For further media information please contact Helen Jeffreys, Marwell Zoological Park Media Relations Office. Email: helenj@marwell.org.uk

Phone: 01962 777947

Marwell Zoological Park was founded in 1972. The Park is owned and operated by Marwell Preservation Trust: a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. Registered Charity Number 275433.

Marwell Zoological Park is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources and works to conserve species and their habitats, whilst advocating environmental and social responsibility in support of these goals.

Marwell Conservation seeks to address causes of extinction and manages vulnerable populations of threatened species to ensure their survival. This is achieved through a range of species and habitat conservation programmes locally to Marwell's base in southern England and internationally, with a particular focus in Africa.

Marwell is a member of the British and Irish Association of zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

Marwell Zoological Park, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH. www.marwell.org.uk