|
JERSEY WILDLIFE PRESERVATION TRUST (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust) Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey (Telephone: 01534 860000 Fax: 01534 860001) |
|
|
My photos and graphics on this site are protected by and can be tracked. All content subject to copyright. All rights reserved. Contact me here. |
|
JERSEY WILDLIFE PRESERVATION TRUST (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust) Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey (Telephone: 01534 860000 Fax: 01534 860001) |
|
|
|
Very early in life Gerald Durrell developed a love, respect and fascination for nature and wildlife. Recognising the pressures that our changing world were putting on the natural environment, in 1959 he decided to set up a breeding centre for rare animals in the grounds of Les Augres Manor - and so Jersey Zoo came into being. The beautiful manor house, set in 25 acres of parkland, was Durrell's home until his death in 1995 and is the headquarters of an organisation that has developed world recognition for its success in breeding endangered species on the very edge of extinction. |
|
The purpose of Jersey Zoo has always followed Gerald Durrell's philosophy - that the zoo only exists because there is a need for it as a vital safe haven for the world's rarest animals. Zoo staff carefully study the animals in their care in order to gain a greater understanding of their needs, and in preparation for their return to a safe environment in the wild. |
|
In fact, Gerald Durrell and his dedicated team met with such success over the years that in 1978 a training programme was started, the aim being to pass on their valuable knowledge to students from all over the world. A residential centre was set up and in the intervening years over 1000 students from more than 100 countries have attended courses here in Jersey. It is the aim of the Zoo to continually improve upon enclosures, giving the animals a stimulating and secure environment in which they will thrive. |
|
|
|
|
|
The most recent addition is the Spectacled Bear enclosure, where a wooden bridge leads the visitor to the centre of an island which has been landscaped with shrubs, waterfall and moat. Visitors should definitely also visit the lowland gorilla, orang utan and celebes macaque enclosures - all landscaped to provide the inhabitants with a comfortable and stimulating environment. Perhaps most surprising of all, is that several groups of tamarins have been released into the trees in the zoo grounds, to enable staff to study these beautiful little creatures under totally natural conditions. Areas where you might see them are noted with signs and it's worth standing a while and being patient, sometimes they are closer to you than you think (often observing you!). |
|
|
|
|
Of course most people entering the zoo will be visiting to see the animals, but it's worth mentioning here that the grounds are, in themselves, well worth a look because they have been planted with rare and exotic species of flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world. A pleasant cafe serves a good variety of food, including some vegetarian dishes, and the zoo shop sells everything from pens and pencils to fluffy toys and a selection of excellent books on wildlife and nature. |
|
The zoo relies on public support to continue the vital work begun by Gerald Durrell over 40 years ago now. If you visit, your entrance fee will directly help the continuing programme of care and research into some of the world's rarest species. There are various other ways you can support the zoo's vital work, for example by taking out membership. To find out more, may I suggest you visit their website at Full contact details for the Trust can be found at the above site. |
Gerald Durrell, O.B.E. (1925-1995) |
|
|
(for Jayne's Jersey) |
|
|
Some graphics on this page are from All written content and photos subject to copyright. All rights reserved. Contact me here. |
