Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Name	Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Founded	0 1963
Founder	Gerald Durrell
Headquarters	Les Augrès Manor, Jersey, Channel Islands
Key people	Lee Durrell (Honorary Director), Mark Stanley Price (Chief Executive)
Focus	Endangered species conservation, ecosystem restoration, captive breeding
Website	https://www.durrell.org

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Founded by the renowned naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, the trust is an international conservation charity with its headquarters at Les Augrès Manor on the island of Jersey. It operates globally to save species from extinction, employing a philosophy of integrated conservation that combines fieldwork, scientific research, and animal husbandry. The trust manages the pioneering Durrell Wildlife Park as a center for breeding endangered animals and inspiring conservation action.

History and founding

The organization was formally established in 1963 as the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust by Gerald Durrell, with crucial early support from his first wife, Jacquie Durrell. Its creation was inspired by Durrell's formative experiences collecting animals for zoos, documented in books like The Bafut Beagles, and his growing conviction that zoos should act as modern-day arks. The trust acquired Les Augrès Manor, a historic estate in Trinity, to house its conservation work. Following Gerald Durrell's death in 1995, the trust was renamed in his honor, and leadership continued under his widow, Lee Durrell, a respected biologist in her own right.

Mission and approach

The core mission is to save species from extinction, guided by Gerald Durrell's ethos of "conservation through breeding." Its strategy emphasizes a hands-on, species-focused methodology known as the Durrell Conservation Cycle. This integrated approach begins with intensive scientific study and captive breeding of critically endangered animals, often at Durrell Wildlife Park. Subsequently, individuals are reintroduced into protected and restored habitats in their native ranges, accompanied by long-term monitoring and community-based conservation education programs to ensure lasting success.

Key conservation projects

The trust has led numerous long-term recovery programs for some of the world's most threatened fauna. A flagship project has been the rescue of the Mauritius kestrel from a wild population of just four birds, one of the most dramatic species recovery stories in history. In Madagascar, decades of work have focused on saving various lemur species, including the black-and-white ruffed lemur and the greater bamboo lemur. Other significant initiatives include protecting the echo parakeet in Mauritius, the Mountain chicken frog in Dominica, and the ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar.

Species and habitat focus

The trust prioritizes action for species that are critically endangered, evolutionarily distinct, and serve as important flagship species for their ecosystems. A significant portion of its work is concentrated on biodiversity hotspots like Madagascar and the islands of the Indian Ocean, which have high levels of endemism. Key taxonomic groups include primates, especially lemurs; amphibians like the Mallorcan midwife toad; birds such as the pink pigeon; and reptiles including the Jersey agile frog and several tortoise species.

Durrell Wildlife Park

Located at the trust's headquarters, Durrell Wildlife Park (originally Jersey Zoo) is not a conventional zoo but a dedicated conservation breeding center. It houses a carefully curated collection of endangered species, many of which are part of coordinated European Endangered Species Programmes. The park's design emphasizes naturalistic enclosures and serves as a vital site for developing expert animal husbandry techniques. It also functions as a major visitor attraction and educational resource, directly funding the trust's global field conservation projects.

Training and capacity building

A cornerstone of the trust's philosophy is empowering local conservationists through the Durrell Conservation Academy. Established in 1988, the academy offers the renowned Durrell Diploma in Endangered Species Management, a practical, field-based course attended by conservation professionals from over 140 countries. This training ensures that skills in population management, ecological monitoring, and community engagement are transferred to in-country teams, building sustainable local capacity for long-term ecosystem protection and species recovery.

Awards and recognition

The trust's innovative work has received significant acclaim within the international conservation community. It was awarded the prestigious Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. In 2014, the Indian Ocean island restoration program received the BBC World Challenge award. Individual honors have also been bestowed upon its leaders, with Lee Durrell receiving the Order of the British Empire and the RSPCA Lord Erskine Award. The trust's founder, Gerald Durrell, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to conservation.

Category:Conservation organizations Category:Organisations based in Jersey Category:Zoos established in 1959