From close encounters with stick insects to helping to feed the giraffes, around 1000 children and their families enjoyed a ‘Dreamnight’ evening of fun and entertainment on Friday 5th June.

Dreamnight is a special event we run every year. By working closely with local hospices and hospitals, children can visit us who otherwise might not be able to enjoy the park.

As well as all the animals, there were plenty of other activities which kept children amused all evening long including: finger printing with Hampshire Constabulary, exploring a fire engine with Hampshire Fire & Rescue, meeting Morris the Keeper and various other costume characters, as well as everyone’s favourite, Punch & Judy.

Keepers and staff stayed late to keep the park open, to ensure that as many children as possible can get close to their favourite animals. This is the sixth year in a row that we have staged Dreamnight. A big thank you also goes to all Marwell volunteers who helped make the evening so successful.

The first Dreamnight was held at Rotterdam Zoo in 1996 and since then 80 other zoos from 23 countries have taken part.

8th June 2009