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Hop along and enjoy free Australian storytelling at Marwell Zoological Park this May half term

Marwell Zoological Park, near Winchester, will be enthralling children this May half term (Monday 26 - Friday 30 April) with stories about the mysterious and bizarre animals from Australia.

Capturing children's attention as they listen to the dilemmas Australian animals face and their struggle for survival, the FREE story telling sessions will be brought to life by Marwell's intrepid animal experts and will also include fun colouring in activities.

The fascinating and exciting tales will enthral children as they find out about Little Roo, a lovely kangaroo, and if she will ever take her first hoppity-hop into the big wide world. Listen to the story of a wombat with attitude, or find out about a greedy frog that drank all the water in the world. Jessica Dolan, Education Coordinator at Marwell believes that the Park offers the ideal day out this May half term: "Our storytelling sessions are always very popular and children will love listening to these enchanting tales from the world of Oz. As they will be taking place through-out the afternoon families can choose to watch our very own Australian animals in action before or after listening to the stories."

The storytelling sessions are FREE for visitors who have paid to enter the Park. The sessions will take place in the Park's Education Centre from Monday 26th to Friday 30th May at 2.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.00pm and are subject to capacity. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Australian story telling sessions mark the first anniversary of the opening of the conservation charities' Bush Walk and Australian area of the Park. With kangaroos, kookaburras, wallabies and baby 'joeys' galore - including a very special albino wallaby - as well as an Australian monitor lizard, a carpet python, emus and Australian black swans, there are plenty of Australian animals to see.

Other highlights for May half term include:

Follow the Amphibian Trail to find out about some of the world's most endangered animals and discover which amphibian lies behind the trail. Pick up a FREE trail at the Park's Information Kiosk.

Discover the secrets of animal life and meet Marwell's animal keepers. Keeper talks are located by the animal's enclosure at the following times:

10:30am: Giraffe
11:15am: Grevy's Zebra / Scimitar-Horned Oryx
11:45am: Okapi
12:30pm: Lemurs
14:00 pm: Encounter Village Barn
14:30 pm: Meerkats
15:00 pm: Rhino
15:30 pm: Penguins

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

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

Phone: 01962 777 947