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Home , Gerald Durrell, Jersey Zoo

Overview of Durrell is an international charity with the mission of saving species from extinction.

Author and naturalist founded the in 1959. It became a charitable trust in 1963 and was renamed Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in 1999 in honour of its founder.

Durrell pursues its mission by undertaking conservation action and building conservation capacity around the world, as well as managing the wildlife park in Jersey as its headquarters and as a world class centre for breeding, research, training and education.

Gerald Durrell

Patron Wildlife park facilities HRH The Princess Royal Café Firefly Restaurant Honorary Director Durrell Wildlife Camp Lee Durrell, MBE, PhD Durrell Conservation Academy Organic Farm Chief Executive Officer Princess Royal Pavilion Oliver Johnson Veterinary Centre

Field programme Wildlife park admission costs 45 projects in 14 countries see pages 4 and 5 and opening hours Durrell Conservation Academy 3,500 graduates from 135 countries Public Relations Kelly Barker, Head of Marketing Telephone: +44 (0) 1534 860081 Durrell Wildlife Park email: [email protected] 120 species in 33 acres of beautiful parkland

Wildlife park visitors 175,000 annually

Les Augrès Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP (via UK) Tel +44 (0) 1534 860000 Fax +44 (0) 1534 860001 E-mail [email protected] Web www.durrell.org 2 What is Durrell? Durrell is an international charity with the mission of saving species from extinction.

Durrell has demonstrated that dedicated and hands-on efforts really do make a difference to the survival of species and their habitats in the wild. Now known as biodiversity conservation, this work is recognised as vital to the well-being of people and the planet.

Author and naturalist Gerald Durrell established the in 1959, pioneering the concept that have an essential role to play in the conservation of wildlife. His vision was of a safe haven for the world’s most threatened animals, where they and the efforts required to save them would engage the public. It would also serve as a centre for training conservation specialists from around the globe in recovery.

Gerald Durrell’s vision has been realised. Durrell has rescued species such as the kestrel and , the ploughshare tortoise and gentle lemur, the Assamese , the St Lucia parrot and the mountain chicken frog. Various techniques, developed by Durrell for its ‘conservation toolbox’, including , research, management and restoration of wild populations and habitats, training of local conservation managers and community conservation, are used as required.

Durrell is based on three core specialisations which have received worldwide acclaim:

• the wildlife park in Jersey, home to 120 species of , bird, and amphibian, of which half are threatened in the wild;

• the field programme currently operating 50 projects in 14 countries to aid species survival;

• the training and education programme providing tuition from primary to post graduate level at a specialist centre at the wildlife park and in outreach courses in other countries.

Durrell’s uniqueness lies in the fact that the three specialisations interact with and support each other through staff exchanges, scientific research and income generation.

Building on half a century of successful biodiversity conservation, Durrell currently focuses on two integrated themes:

• ‘Islands at Risk,’ as many of the most threatened species are found only in island ecosystems, and

• ‘Critical Species,’ groups of species which have a high risk of extinction and for which Durrell can have the greatest positive impact.

Critical species lslands at risk 3

How does Durrell work?

Durrell is committed to achieving practical results in biodiversity conservation by integrating what it does at its headquarters with what it does around the world. Its three core areas specialisation – the wildlife park, the conservation field programme and the training and education programme – are funded in diverse ways.

Situated in a beautiful park in Jersey in the Channel Islands, Durrell’s headquarters is the hub of its activities and a ‘window’ on its international work. Visitors can see some of the planet’s most endangered species and learn how they are being saved. Durrell is supported by 114 staff based in Jersey.

Some endangered species bred at the wildlife park are returned to their home countries for release to the wild. Others are closely studied by Durrell’s ‘keeper-conservationists’ to discover the optimal conditions in which they can express natural behaviours, including foraging, feeding, sociality, breeding and rearing young. This information coupled with the research on health and nutrition undertaken at the park is used by Durrell’s teams in the field to enhance their understanding of the species in the wild and the threats they face.

Ring-tailed Lemur at Durrell Wildlife Park, credit Rick Jones

The Estate of Gerald Durrell 4

Conservation Field Programme

From 2011 to 2015 Durrell will run up to 50 projects in 14 countries, aiding more than 50 threatened species by undertaking field research, managing and restoring wild populations and habitats, educating, empowering and training local people with respect to biodiversity and other natural resources and, when appropriate, breeding endangered species at specialist centres and releasing them back to the wild.

Some Durrell projects have been ongoing for decades, others are more recent. Main areas of operation include islands of the Caribbean and the western Indian Ocean, the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar, India and Jersey. Durrell’s field teams number 60 people.

Durrell prioritises conservation actions using an analytical tool called TopSpots which pinpoints areas of high biodiversity. Developed by Durrell in 2007, TopSpots scientifically identifies 200 areas of the planet where species uniqueness is greatest. Current efforts are focused on island ecosystems, birds of South East Asia and globally threatened primates and amphibians.

Current field programmes

45 projects in 14 countries 60 staff based overseas 5

How does Durrell work?

Training and Education Programme

Durrell Conservation Academy, adjacent to the wildlife park in Jersey, provides lifelong learning in biodiversity conservation.

Students and practitioners from all fields of conservation are welcomed for professional training – zookeepers, veterinarians, educators, forestry and other natural resource managers, field biologists, planners and fundraisers. To date more than 3,500 individuals from 135 different countries have participated in Durrell courses and workshops, both in Jersey and around the world. After returning to their place of work, Durrell graduates are supported by the Durrell Conservation Learning Network.

All children in Jersey receive formal tuition by Academy staff at some point in their school career as well as informally through fun programmes intended for all ages, from Dodolings (age 3-6) to Conservation Science School (age 15-18). Increasingly, young people from the UK and Europe visit Jersey to participate in these activities. 6

How does Durrell work?

Funding

Durrell’s turnover is £5m - £6m per year. Income is generated through commercial revenues (admission fees to the park*, food, beverage and retail sales, site hire, hostel and campsite lettings, investment performance) and fundraising activities (Trust memberships, grants from foundations and businesses, philanthropic donations from individuals, legacies). Expenditure covers staff costs, operational costs of the wildlife park and field, training and education programmes and fixed costs such as insurance. 81p of every £1 of income is spent in direct support of the mission of saving species from extinction.

No animal is ever bought or sold, reflecting the philosophy of the founder, Gerald Durrell, that endangered species are priceless.

Gerald Durrell with one of only four Dodo skeletons in the world

Admission fees to the wildlife park help maintain the animals as well as Durrell’s field conservation programmes:

Adult £13.50: feeds Badongo, the 180 kg silverback , for two days

OAP £11.50: feeds the Andean bear for one day

Child (age 4-16) £10.00: feeds a young pygmy hog for six weeks at the breeding centre in , India

Student (age 17-22) £11.50: produces one training manual for a student on an Endangered Species Management course at Durrell Conservation Academy

Family (2 adults + 3 children) annual membership £120.00: buys a Global Positioning System for field staff in Madagascar

Child under four years: FREE creates a sense of wonder about biodiversity and the need to protect it, which we hope will last a lifetime! 7

Where is Durrell?

Jersey, Channel Islands

The island of Jersey is the largest of the four Channel Islands lying in the between the south coast of and the northwest coast of France. With a population of less than 100,000 its 45 square miles feature beautiful landscapes of farmland, woodland, rocky coastal cliffs and extensive sand beaches, as well as small villages and one main town. Jersey’s economy is based on agriculture, tourism and global financial services.

Durrell’s headquarters are in Jersey in the heart of the wildlife park. Wildlife park

On 33 acres in the lush green Jersey countryside, the park is home to 120 species of , birds, and amphibians, some of which are allowed to roam free and others thrive in spacious, naturalistic enclosures. Notable denizens among the mammals are families of western lowland , Sumatran orangutans, various monkeys and lemurs, and fruit bats. Flocks of flamingos and geese wander the grounds, and enchanting smaller birds delight the visitor in walk-through aviaries. In the Amphibian and Reptile Breeding Centre live some of the rarest creatures in the world, such as Komodo dragons and the mountain chicken frog.

The park is open to the public every day of the year except Christmas Day from 09:30 to 18:00 in the summer, with occasional extensions on lovely summer evenings, and 09:30 to 17:00 in the winter. Durrell Conservation Academy

Les Noyers, an old Jersey farmhouse adjacent to the wildlife park, was converted in the early 1980s into a centre for conservation teaching and learning. The residence hall caters for up to 34 people, with facilities including a lecture theatre, library, computer suite, classroom and wi-fi. The wildlife park itself provides practical training.

We offer a dozen courses, ranging from those suitable for conservation newcomers to senior professionals and from several days to three months. Lecturers include Durrell staff as well as visiting experts, and several courses are run in collaboration with UK universities and conservation organisations. Our best known course is the Durrell Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate, validated by the .

When courses are not in session, Les Noyers is used as a hostel and conference centre, bringing in revenues for Durrell. Conservation Field Programmes in Jersey

Conservation begins in your own back garden, and we work with our government’s Environment Department, the National Trust and other Jersey-based organisations to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the island. We have undertaken research and/or recovery programmes for red squirrels, farmland birds, green and wall lizards, Jersey toads and agile frogs, orchids and several species of wildflower. Our latest programme is the restoration of the red-billed chough (a type of crow), which became extinct in Jersey in the early 1900s. 8

Where is Durrell?

Rest of the world

We work in seven tropical regions in 14 countries, with an emphasis on islands. We also offer various short courses abroad through Durrell Conservation Academy, which to date have been held in , , Bolivia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Galapagos, Guam, India, Madagascar, Mauritius, , Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore and St Lucia. Western Indian Ocean

Mauritius and Madagascar have been conservation arenas for Durrell for nearly four decades, and the Comoros Islands for nearly two. Blessed with many species found nowhere else in the world, yet faced with environmental degradation on an enormous scale, these islands epitomise today’s conservation challenges. Durrell has saved birds and reptiles in Mauritius, and in Madagascar several species, such as the ploughshare tortoise and the Lac Alaotran gentle lemur, are on their way to recovery, thanks to our pioneering community conservation programmes. In the Comoros a project to empower communities to protect their watersheds will help many species. Work in Mauritius and Madagascar is assisted by our Durrell Conservation Academy graduates. India

The pygmy hog of Assam has been a Durrell focus since the early 1970s, and successful releases of captive bred pygmy hogs are ongoing. More than 100 Indian nationals have graduated from the Academy since the early 1980s. Southeast Asia

We support a former member of wildlife park staff in his work to save the Sumatran orangutan, and we have provided captive bred birds for the Bali starling recovery programme. We intend to expand our efforts in the region, particularly for endangered birds. Pacific Islands

In the Galapagos we work with the critically endangered mangrove finch and Floreana mockingbird. It was the variations in bill shape in Galapagos mockingbirds, linking each species to its ecological niche, that led to propose the theory of evolution by natural selection.

In Colombia we are trying to save the critically endangered white-handed tamarin, providing zoos with the expertise to allow this small monkey to thrive and breed, while working with other organisations and Durrell Conservation Academy graduates, to protect it in the wild.

Caribbean

The Caribbean islands demonstrate an amazing diversity in habitats, leading to high levels of species uniqueness, as well as species vulnerability inherent to island conditions. We have had a presence there for more than 35 years, starting with the St Lucia parrot, which numbered less than 100 in 1978, but which is now recovering. At present we work in six countries on numerous islands on a dozen threatened species, including the Montserrat mountain chicken, a giant frog nearly wiped out by a deadly fungus, and the Hispaniolan solenodon, a bizarre shrew-like mammal of ancient lineage. Many nationals from the six countries have graduated from the academy. West Africa

Here we work not on single species, but on a frightening phenomenon called “defaunation”. This is the loss of forest mammals due to subsistence hunting and commercial trade of “bushmeat”, both activities related to human poverty. We conduct field research and act as advisors to the British government. Unhappily, there is no end in sight to the problem, and bushmeat issues occur in nearly every developing country in the world, 9

Who is Durrell?

Gerald Durrell Founder

Gerald Durrell was born in India in 1925 and spent his childhood on the island of where he discovered his abiding passion for the Animal Kingdom. A spell as an animal collector for zoos in the 1940s and 50s led to his revolutionary ideas about zoos aiding species survival. He set up the Jersey Zoo in 1959, which was taken over by the charity he created, the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, in 1963. He masterminded successes in breeding rare animals, studying them and releasing them to the wild and training conservation professionals in developing countries to carry out these tasks themselves. Durrell received the OBE for his work in 1983. He passed away in 1995, leaving behind a unique, powerful and enduring legacy in the field of biodiversity conservation. HRH The Princess Royal, Patron

The young Princess Anne visited Jersey Zoo in 1972 and was shown around by Gerald Durrell, who introduced her to the staff, the animals and the concepts he was pioneering. She agreed to become Patron of the Trust and has fulfilled that role admirably ever since. Lee Durrell, Honorary Director

Lee McGeorge gained a PhD in zoology from for her studies in Madagascar. Marrying Gerald Durrell in 1979, she embraced the Trust’s mission wholeheartedly. As he wished, she succeeded him as Honorary Director, receiving the MBE for biodiversity conservation in 2011. Trustees and supporters

The Trust is governed by a Board of 12 Trustees, of which 11 are elected by the Trust’s Members, the Honorary Director having a permanent place on the Board. There are 12,000 Members, mostly from Jersey and the UK, with about 1,000 from the rest of the world. Early supporters included Gerald Durrell’s friends in the field of entertainment, such as Peter Bull, Noel Coward, David Niven, Jimmy Stuart and Mai Zetterling, as well as Sir Peter Scott. Well known supporters today include Sir , and Graeme Le Saux. Organisational structure

The Trust is led by the Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Johnson, supported by a senior management team comprising the Chief Conservation Officer, Professor John Fa, and the heads of eight main departments: Animal Collection, Conservation, Conservation Science, Training and Education, Marketing, Fundraising, Accounts and Human Resources. These functions are supported by about 150 other staff, both in Jersey and overseas, as well as a stalwart body of 120 volunteers. Partners The Trust enters into many formal agreements worldwide, the better to meet the enormous challenges of its mission. Partners include governments of countries where the Trust runs conservation programmes, non-governmental organisations in those countries and elsewhere, universities and zoos. Donors

The Trust receives donations from many quarters, from children who pay a modest sum to adopt an animal at the wildlife park to foundations granting funds to support specific projects to benefactors who give during their lifetimes or in legacies. Durrell’s Army

The phrase “Durrell’s Army” was coined to describe the body of graduates of the Academy, but it has come to mean everyone who helps Durrell carry out its mission of saving species from extinction: Trustees, Members, supporters, staff, volunteers, partners and donors, as well as Durrell Conservation Academy graduates. 10

When is Durrell?

1959 Jersey Zoo opens to the public 1963 Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust is established 1968 first expedition to rescue an endangered species – to Mexico for volcano rabbit for breeding 1969 first breeding programme for endangered species started – white-eared pheasant of China 1971 Les Augrès Manor, Trust headquarters at Jersey Zoo, is purchased 1972 , a silverback , arrives; Trust hosts first World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species; Princess Anne becomes Patron of Trust 1973 first gorillas born 1976 first in-country conservation programme begun – in Mauritius 1978 first partnership with an international species recovery programme – for golden tamarin of Brazil 1979 Les Noyers, farmhouse next to Jersey Zoo (now Durrell), is purchased and developed as International Training Centre (ITC) ( now Durrell Training Academy) 1980 Trust hosts second meeting of newly formed Captive Breeding Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature 1983 first formal agreement signed with a foreign government – with Madagascar 1984 25th anniversary of Jersey Zoo, 21st anniversary of Trust; first return to the wild of captive bred species – pink pigeons and kestrels bred at the Trust’s facility in Mauritius 1985 first return to the wild of Jersey-bred species – Jamaican hutia 1986 young boy falls into gorilla enclosure, and is “protected” by Jambo 1988 25th anniversary of Trust and greatest ever visitor numbers to Jersey Zoo (369,709) 1989 ITC (now Durrell Training Acadmey) endowment started with £1,000,000 donation 1990 last expedition led by Gerald Durrell to rescue endangered species – to Madagascar 1992 Trust hosts sixth World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species; first breeding of aye-aye (a bizarre lemur), the first time ever in captivity 1995 Gerald Durrell passes away 1999 40th anniversary of Jersey Zoo 1999 Trust is renamed Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 2006 Trust begins to be referred to as “Durrell” and Jersey Zoo as “Durrell’s wildlife park” 2009 50th anniversary of Durrell in Jersey 2010 number of trainees through Durrell Conservation Academy exceeds 3,000 2011 25th anniversary of Durrell working in Madagascar 2012 release to the wild of Montserrat mountain chicken frogs bred at Durrell wildlife park to improve species survival in the face of a deadly chytrid fungus 11

Why is Durrell?

The great variety of life on earth – biodiversity – is the most basic requirement for the wellbeing of the planet.

Biodiversity comprises variation at different levels – from genes to organisms to populations to species to ecosystems. The condition of air, water, soil and climate, as well as the effectiveness of vital processes such as plant pollination and nutrient recycling, depend on it. Ecosystem stability is believed to be positively linked to it.

From the point of view of our own species, Homo sapiens, ecosystems provide us with “services” that make life both possible and comfortable for us, such as clean air and water, fertile soil, food, medicine, pest and disease control, energy and equitable climate, as well as meeting our spiritual and recreational needs.

As essential components of ecosystems, species have been dubbed “ecosystem service providers”.

Evolution and extinction of species are natural processes, but since humankind emerged in the Stone Age, the loss of species has accelerated to hundreds, if not thousands, of times the rate normally seen in the fossil record.

Ecosystems around the world are becoming disrupted by the decline and demise of species caused by human activities. Additionally, human-induced climate change is affecting ranges, movements and abundance of species, resulting in further disruption of ecosystem services.

If only through self-interest, humankind should try to curtail its negative impacts on species and ecosystems.

There is another reason, which not all people subscribe to, and that is an ethical one. When Gerald Durrell was collecting animals more than fifty years ago, he had never heard the word “biodiversity”. He decided to set up his own zoo to aid the survival of species, not because of a desire to ensure the welfare of the human species, but rather his belief in the intrinsic value of all life on earth. He believed that humankind, one species among eight million, does not have a right to extinguish another species, much less cause a mass extinction and the suffering that would ensue for humans and non-humans alike.

Durrell has made and will continue to make a difference to species through its pioneering work and sheer dedication to the cause. Saving species is our mission, a mission that is not onlyvital to the wellbeing of the planet, but is also the right thing to do. As the task is obviously far beyond the capabilities of one organisation, our raison d’etre is even broader. By the example we set, the leadership we provide and the inspiration we offer we believe that biodiversity conservation will be well served and more species saved from extinction.

As Sir David Attenborough said on the occasion of Durrell’s 50th anniversary,

“I do assure you, the world needs Durrell.”

David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell