The land
Moonlit Sanctuary stands on 25 acres of former farmland and pony club in Pearcedale. The Johnson family began work in December 1998, digging a wetland of two acres with a lake and planting more than 10,000 native trees and plants.
Night tours first
The sanctuary opened in September 2001 with evening tours, when visitors followed a guide by lantern light to see animals that are active after dark. Daytime opening followed in 2007.
A family sanctuary
Moonlit Sanctuary is a family business, founded by Michael Johnson, who remains its director. In 1996 he attended a course on breeding endangered species at the Durrell conservation academy in Jersey.



