Wild Life 2022 vol 1

WILD LIFE

There is no first world and third world. There is only one world, for all of us to live and delight in

WELCOME TO WILD LIFE

As a toddler in India where his first word was “zoo”, Gerald Durrell had a dream – one day he would have his own zoo. As a boy, blissfully immersed in the animal life of Corfu, and then as a teenager, working at Whipsnade Zoo, he nurtured a vision – that his zoo would not allow the species in its care to go the way of the dodo. Its mission would be to save species from extinction.

Gerry fulfilled his dream and began realising his vision with the opening of Jersey Zoo in 1959. Back then the idea that the conservation of species would be the primary purpose of a zoo was a radical concept, and for a long time Gerry was considered a maverick by the zoo world. Today, Jersey Zoo is hailed as a model and is globally respected, thanks to the teams of exceptional people – keepers, vets, scientists, fundraisers, supporters and myriad others – who believed in Gerry’s vision in the early days and who carry on his legacy now and into the future.

In 1963, Gerry established a charitable trust to run the zoo and deliver its mission in regions where the endangered species were found. This became, of course, Durrell Wildlife Conservation

CONTENTS

Trust. In this issue, ‘Species Spotlight’ highlights some of the species and habitats we focus on at present.

In 1972, after HRH The Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, visited Jersey Zoo, Gerry invited her to become the Patron of the Trust. She was “most happy” to accept and has been genuinely engaged in and supportive of the zoo and Trust ever since This year marks her 50th anniversary as Patron, but very early on she spotted a vital element of our current conservation strategy. She noted that Gerry used his writing “to build relationships – and therefore, inevitably, bonds – between his reader and other animal species”.

The Trust is remarkable for its steadfast adherence to the mission that Gerald Durrell embarked upon more than sixty years ago, embodied in simple, elegant words – saving species from extinction. True to this undertaking is the conservation strategy the Trust pursues today – Rewild Our World – with its elements of re-establishing species in the wild and restoring their natural habitats, enabled by reviving the deep emotional bonds between humans and the natural world.

DR LEE DURRELL HONORARY DIRECTOR

MBE, PhD

DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST - UK is registered in England and Wales. A charitable company limited by guarantee. REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1121989 REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 6448493 REGISTERED

c/o Intertrust Corporate Services (UK) Limited, 35 Great St Helen’s, London EC3A 6AP

It is important to us that we keep you informed about our work, and the difference we are making to the many species, habitats and local communities with which we work. If your household has received more than one copy of Wild Life and you would like to discuss your mailing preferences going forward, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our Supporter Care team on supportercare@durrell.org or (0)1534 860111

If you’d like to hear from us regularly subscribe to our email newsletter at www.durrell.org

DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST Les Augres Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands @DURRELL_JERSEYZOO

@DURRELLWILDLIFE

PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS Will Bertram, Joe Blossom, Emma Caton, Elizabeth Corry, Roland Digby, Estate of Gerald Durrell, Jersey Events, Craig Jones (www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk), Matt Goetz, Gregory Guida, Paul Hilton, Robin Hoskyns, Rachel Hughes, Tiffany Lang, Matt Porteous, Alex Westover

flamingo,

CONSERVATION AND ZOOS

DR LESLEY DICKIE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

At Durrell, we are clear about the structure of our organisation. We are a “conservation organisation that delivers some of its work via our zoo” and we are not the more traditional “zoo that does a little bit of conservation”. The latter is often the norm for the majority of zoos and the reality is that some zoos around the world do not even do the conservation work they should, even at its lowest level.

But back to Durrell and lest anyone be in any doubt, our structure does not mean we regard our zoo as less important than other parts of the organisation. Far from it. All the parts of Durrell need to work together to deliver the exemplary conservation work that is vital for so many species, and we are proud of the key role Jersey Zoo plays in so much of our work.

At a most basic level, zoos provide a safety net population for rare species. Well-run programmes that cater for the genetic and demographic needs of the species are coordinated in Europe via the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Each programme has a coordinator or “studbook” keeper found across the member organisations,

and at Durrell we have a surprisingly large amount when looking at the size of our zoo. No single zoo can completely cater for the management of larger bodied or long-lived species and therefore teamwork across zoos is required. Every year (COVID-19 permitting), zoo staff from across Europe meet in various taxonomic groups to discuss the species in their care, their husbandry, management, veterinary care and the key question of whom should breed with whom to ensure a healthy population into the future.

But the conservation role of zoos does not stop there. If threats have been mitigated in the wild to the extent that a translocation or reintroduction is possible, where do those individual animals come from? There will be occasions where it is possible to translocate animals from one wild area to another. However, with the rarest of the rare, that may not be possible, and it requires the safety net population to be deployed. On those occasions, different preparation may be required and there may already be plans in place to move zoo animals into an interim holding facility, where they are bred so that their offspring can be returned to the wild. In other cases, reintroductions may be straight

from the zoo, but this is usually specific to the animal in question. For example, Durrell, alongside partners, has been reintroducing mountain chicken frogs back to the wild in Montserrat, direct from Jersey Zoo. Readers may not be aware that Jersey Zoo is not the only captive collection managed by Durrell around the world. There are also the dedicated breeding centres we have “in country” for many species, such as pygmy hogs in India and pochards in Madagascar.

The zoo can also offer an interim solution in the face of an emergency in the wild, as we saw with the Mauritian reptile rescue in 2020. An oil spill off the coast of Mauritius led to several species being placed in peril. Because we have experienced and dedicated teams both at our field sites and at the zoo in Jersey, we had an immediate interim solution; bring three populations to Jersey to ensure they have a viable future. The initial rescue was carried out by our field team, and they then handed the baton over to our herpetology team at the zoo for the long-term breeding and care, while the original problem is dealt with in the wild.

The zoo is also a haven for training of staff from other organisations where captive work plays a part in rescuing a species from extinction. Not only do zoo staff help train conservationists from around the world here in Jersey but they take skills from Jersey Zoo back to species’ range countries. For example, the mammal team at the zoo have had a significant impact in training South American conservationists in the care of marmosets and tamarins, with multiple workshops being held in countries like Colombia and Brazil.

Research questions can be “put” to zoo animals. How would, for example, tamarins use artificial nest boxes placed in the free-ranging woodlands at the zoo before we deploy them in forest corridors in Brazil? Zoo animals can show us how to modify such conservation techniques. What do we know about levels of nature connection in Jersey school children and what can this tell us about helping people care about conservation?

The zoo helps us fundraise for the conservation work we do in the wild – conservation work is done by people and that costs money! No matter the project, we still need to find ways to fund that work. Durrell’s monthly “run rate” is about £840K, so it’s no small task in funding such work, and the zoo helps us to do so.

There is one final point – our zoo here in Jersey is a window onto the world, a gateway to connecting with the amazing animals that live on Earth with us. A day at the zoo helps visitors learn about the animals’ lives and the positive impact of Durrell around the world.

AT THE ZOO

WORLD FIRST FOR ENDANGERED LIZARDS

Jersey Zoo is the first zoo in the world to have successfully bred Bouton’s skinks in captivity. The skinks were brought to the zoo in 2020 to form a breeding programme after being rescued from islands affected by the MV Wakashio oil spill off the coast of Mauritius. Since then, they have been under the expert care of our leading herpetologists, who have pooled their knowledge and years of experience with other reptiles to ensure these populations survive.

FIRST ZOO IN THE UK AND EUROPE TO BE CERTIFIED SENSORY INCLUSIVE

We are delighted to have partnered with KultureCity to make Jersey Zoo sensory inclusive. The zoo is the first in the UK and Europe to have achieved this certification. This new initiative promotes an accommodating and positive experience for all visitors with sensory differences. Staff were trained on how to recognise those with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags with noisecancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are now available to visitors who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.

WHAT’S ON BRING A FRIEND WEEKEND

Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 July, 9.30am-6pm

BIRD FLU AT THE ZOO

On 22nd February, one of our free-roaming, red-breasted geese at Jersey Zoo sadly passed away and later tested positive for avian influenza. The virus, commonly known as bird flu, is transmitted via faeces, and it is thought to have come into the zoo via a wild bird. Our experienced team are well prepared to deal with scenarios like this and responded rapidly by housing the red-breasted geese, covering certain aviaries and closing our walk-through bird exhibits to prevent the possible further spread of the disease. As an additional precaution, the zoo closed for a day while our flamingo flock were moved to an off-show, indoor quarantine area as a temporary measure. Now that the island-wide lockdown for birds has been lifted, the flamingos have returned to the valley and the geese can be seen wandering the zoo grounds once again.

Discover a wilder world together with your loved ones as we invite members to bring a guest to the zoo for free! Our Bring a Friend Weekends are the perfect opportunity to show your friends and family what you love about Jersey Zoo.

DURRELL AT DUSK

Thursday 14 July & Friday 5 August, 6-9pm

Spend a summer evening exploring Jersey Zoo at dusk and enjoy experiencing the zoo at this special time of day. Sit back and relax to live music, learn about fascinating animals at our keeper talks, and take part in a range of fun activities for all ages.

AGM

Thursday 8 September, 6pm

The 58th Annual General Meeting of Members of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust will take place at the Royal Yacht Hotel, St Helier. Papers available at durrell.org/agm

FUTURE CONSERVATIONISTS

26, 27 & 28 October

Aged 16-18 and like the idea of a career that makes a difference to wildlife? Then our three-day Future Conservationists course at Jersey Zoo is the ideal opportunity for you! Gain the knowledge and confidence you need to begin your journey towards a career in conservation.

Visit durrell.org/events for more details about our events.

A NEW COMPANION FOR HAZEL

We are delighted that an eight-year-old northern white-cheeked gibbon has recently joined the Jersey Zoo family. In April, the male gibbon, named Genta, arrived in Jersey from Asson Zoo in southwest France. Genta is a great companion for our elderly white-handed gibbon, Hazel and their orangutan roommates. Northern whitecheeked gibbons are a critically endangered species of gibbon native to Southeast Asia. We hope that Genta will mark the beginning of our work with this highly threatened species.

STORKS GO LIVE!

This year, the White Stork Project set up the UK’s first live-stream white stork nest camera. The new cameras allowed the team and the public to get an intimate ‘storks eye view’ of any birds using the nest on the roof of Knepp Castle in West Sussex. Stork pairs were seen checking out the nest, and viewers were treated to sights of bill clattering, wing-pumping, displaying and mating. Viewers were also encouraged to report any sightings and interesting behaviour witnessed on the cameras.

The camera can be viewed at www.whitestorkproject.org/live

TURTLE TRACKING

The team in Madagascar have fitted tracking devices to rare turtles released in Lake Ravelobe in Ankarafantskia National Park. In 2015, 144 captive-bred Madagascar big-headed turtles, known locally as “rere”, were released into the lake but monitoring the population proved difficult. In January this year, three turtles were equipped with VHF tags and monitored daily by a Master’s student from Antananarivo University. Tracking the rere will help the team understand more about the movements and use of habitat by these critically endangered turtles.

MAURITIUS KESTREL NAMED NATIONAL BIRD

The Mauritius kestrel has officially been proclaimed the National Bird of the Republic of Mauritius. In 1974, only four individuals were known to remain in the wild, and the species was believed doomed to extinction. Our Chief Scientist, Prof Carl Jones, did what most at the time thought was impossible and managed to raise the chicks of the remaining adults in captivity to save the species from its unfortunate fate. Thanks to the work of Carl and our partners at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the Mauritius kestrel remains a true conservation success story, as several hundred birds now inhabit the forests of Mauritius.

WORLD’S RAREST DUCK RELEASED INTO THE WILD

At the end of 2021, the project to save the critically endangered Madagascar pochard reached a new milestone. A group of 35 captive-bred pochards were released onto Lake Sofia, a remote site in northern Madagascar. The team had to make a 200km trip along a dirt road with the birds ahead of the release. The ducks then spent time in a lakeside aviary before being transported in canoes to floating aviaries on the lake. They spent a few more days in the aviaries, getting used to their surroundings before exploring their new home. The Madagascar pochard was believed to be extinct for 15 years. However, since they were rediscovered in 2006, the race has been on to save the world’s rarest duck from extinction. The project’s first-ever reintroduction took place in 2018, and the adult population on the lake is now 47.

to SAVE and PROTECT

Throughout our 63-year history, Jersey Zoo has played a significant role in saving, protecting and restoring some of the world’s most endangered species. The zoo’s facilities, combined with our team’s vast pool of knowledge, experience, and dedication, continue to make a difference in conservation efforts worldwide. Here are just a few species that Jersey Zoo has played a part in preserving:

Mountain chicken frog

Following violent volcanic eruptions on Montserrat, nine mountain chickens were caught and brought to Jersey Zoo to establish a safety net population if the species went extinct in the wild. While in captivity, the team learned as much as they could about these unique frogs. A few years later, a deadly amphibian fungus known as chytrid caused the catastrophic decline of the species and nearly drove it to extinction in just one year. The Durrell team, alongside our partners, helped to evacuate frogs, brought them into the zoo’s safety and used their previous knowledge of rearing the frogs to ensure their survival. In 2019, 27 mountain chickens from Jersey Zoo and ZSL London Zoo were returned to Montserrat as part of the work to establish the first breeding population on the island in 10 years.

Red-billed chough

These distinctive red-beaked birds were declared locally extinct in Jersey in 1910. A hundred years later, in 2010, Paradise Park in Cornwall loaned Jersey Zoo two breeding pairs of choughs to begin the captive breeding programme to return the species to Jersey. Their chicks started to be released onto the island in 2013. Thanks to the efforts of the zoo’s bird team, and the Birds

On The Edge project, choughs can once again be seen flying over the coast of Jersey. We are well on the way to seeing a selfsustaining population as the birds are now breeding in the wild.

Pink pigeon

Jersey Zoo’s work with these precious birds dates back more than 40 years, when just 10 individuals remained in the wild. Our founder, Gerald Durrell, helped capture pink pigeons to establish the first captive breeding programme in Mauritius. He also brought several birds back to Jersey Zoo to safeguard the birds in the event of a localised disease or disaster in Mauritius, leading to the loss of the species. Today, thanks to the work of our local partners at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the population is reported to be stable at over 400 individuals. However, the species still faces the same threats. In 2019, three Jersey-bred pink pigeons, descended from the birds brought to the zoo in the 1970s, were returned to Mauritius. They joined the in-country captive breeding programme to return missing genes to the wild population. Monitoring genetic diversity is an essential part of conserving wildlife. A greater genetic variability helps maintain the health of a population, provides better protection against disease and pests, and makes a species more adaptable to environmental changes.

Southeast Asian songbirds

The countries of Southeast Asia are home to vast amounts of biodiversity. However, rapid development, population growth and harvesting of natural resources have led to many species becoming critically endangered. One group that is particularly at risk is the region’s songbirds. The Jersey Zoo team has extensive experience in captive management and a track record of success with several species of critically endangered songbirds, including the Bali starling and bluecrowned laughingthrush. Through partnerships with local and international organisations, we have initiated projects that apply the husbandry skills of the zoo’s bird department to some of the world’s most threatened birds.

Alaotran gentle lemur

These critically endangered lemurs are the only species of primate to live exclusively over water. Hidden away in the dense reed beds of Lake Alaotra in Madagascar, gentle lemurs are threatened by the rapid destruction of their marsh habitat. The successful captive breeding and research programme began at Jersey Zoo in 1990, and now involves many other international zoos. Together, they provide a safety net population should the worst happen in the wild.

Agile frog

Jersey is the only place in the British Isles where this frog is native. Unfortunately, amphibians are particularly susceptible to environmental change. Agile frogs have suffered dramatic declines in Jersey due to water pollution, agriculture intensification and land-use change. The Jersey Zoo team is helping boost their population using a technique called “headstarting”. This involves collecting frog spawn from the wild and keeping it at the zoo in a safe environment away from predators and pollution. The tadpoles hatch in captivity and are eventually released back into the wild. This technique is intended to grow the wild population by increasing the number of animals that make it through this vulnerable stage of their lives. After a few months, the team release the well-developed tadpoles and froglets back into the wild.

Great apes

Although we do not work with great apes directly in the wild, we use the knowledge of our team at Jersey Zoo to help the conservation efforts of gorillas and orangutans. Each year, conservationists working to protect gorillas and orangutans in their native forests attend the Durrell Endangered Species Management (DESMAN) course at our academy in Jersey, where they learn from our passionate staff and work alongside our expert keepers.

Over in Sumatra, the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) has built an orangutan haven to combine education and better-quality enclosures for the rehabilitated orangutans. Our team advised colleagues at SOCP on the design and build of this state-of-theart enclosure, which took inspiration from the highly successful orangutan island habitat at Jersey Zoo.

Ploughshare tortoise

These beautiful golden-domed tortoises are rapidly declining in the wild due to the illegal pet trade. Four tortoises were brought to Jersey Zoo after being confiscated from smugglers at Hong Kong airport. Now they reside in our Amphibian and Reptile House as part of an exhibit to educate visitors about the damaging effects of the illegal wildlife trade. They now form part of the safety net population outside Madagascar. The zoo’s ploughshares have also been involved in studies to help the species in the wild, including trialling the use of tracking devices fitted to their shells.

50 GOLDEN YEARS OF ROYAL PATRONAGE

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the momentous visit to Jersey Zoo of HRH The Princess Anne, now The Princess Royal, which ultimately led to her becoming Patron of the Trust. Over the last 50 years, she has visited the zoo and the Trust’s outposts around the world dozens of times, as well as attended numerous events arranged by the Trust in London. She has opened many of our new exhibits and facilities, energised our staff, students and supporters and celebrated noteworthy anniversaries. At every point, she eloquently expressed her faith in the vision of Gerald Durrell and confidence in the work of all the people who are carrying on the Trust’s mission to save species from extinction

The contribution of The Princess Royal to the success of our endeavours and, indeed, to the well-being of the Trust has been of vital importance to us. We are profoundly proud of it and deeply grateful to her. We look forward to many more years of her patronage.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Princess Anne’s first visit to Jersey Zoo, 1972. Durrell’s 25th anniversary celebration at Hotel de France, 1984. Installing a time capsule at the Princess Royal Pavillion, 1988. The opening of the reptile house,1972.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT HRH speaking with Durrell staff, Brazil,1987. Meeting staff in Mauritius, 2010. HRH and then Head of Birds David Jeggo, 2003. Official opening of the Butterfly House at Jersey Zoo, 2021. At the pochard breeding centre, Madagascar, 2017. WIth Lee Durrell at the Durrell Lecture, London, 2017.

REWILD CARBON IN NUMBERS

Rewild Carbon, launched in June 2021, is Durrell’s nature-based climate solution, which reduces carbon in the atmosphere by rewilding threatened ecosystems. The programme was designed with local communities to benefit sustainable livelihoods. Together, we know the wildlife, the threats and the land best.

To date, we have been working with businesses in Jersey, the UK and further afield to balance their carbon. Our partners represent

businesses of all sizes and from all sectors, but what they have in common is a passion to reduce their carbon footprint and give back to nature via Rewild Carbon.

Later this year, we plan to offer Rewild Carbon to individuals who wish to balance their own carbon footprint.

Find out more at durrell.org/rewildcarbon

LESS THAN 6% OF THE ATLANTIC FOREST REMAINS

95% OF YOUR INVESTMENT WILL GO TO NATURE

■ TREE PLANTING FIELDWORK

■ SUPPORTING DURRELL’S WORK IN BRAZIL

■ BLACK LION TAMARIN FIELDWORK

■ CORE COSTS

WE WILL PLANT AND NURTURE 100 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF NATIVE TREES

THE INVESTMENT OF £367,969 IN REWILD CARBON TO DATE WILL...

RESTORE 40 HECTARES OF NEW ATLANTIC FOREST, EQUIVALENT TO 109,281 TREES*

SEQUESTER 14,970

TONNES OF CO2 E OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE TREES* CO 2

bugs! the great unknown

Insects make up the overwhelming majority of animal species on the planet.

Worldwide there are approximately 5 million species of insects, but only about 5,500 species of mammals.

We know very little about these minibeasts we share the planet with. We know almost nothing about how they are coping with global change: less than 1% of insects have had their conservation needs assessed.

B rAZi LIa N Sa LMo N p INk

BiRD-EAt IN g Ta RAnTULA

Can you see the shimmer of pink that gives these spiders their name? The colour comes from hundreds of small hairs that cover their body – but those hairs aren’t for looks (or even for warmth). When threatened by a predator, these spiders flick up their hairs, which cause severe irritation when they reach the predator’s eyes or airways.

DID YOU KNOW… These tarantulas are highly sensitive to vibrations, which helps them find their prey.

LIFESPAN Males up to 5 years, females up to 25 years.

SIZE Up to a 25cm leg span.

DIET Various insects, lizards, frogs, mice and occasionally small birds.

FLORiDI aNKaTYdID

Katydids are well-matched to a life of eating and singing amongst trees and shrubs. Can you work out how their shape and colour helps them survive? Like many other insects, these beautiful creatures depend on the survival of their bushland homes. Without those habitats, the unique sounds of these insects, and many birds, will vanish.

DID YOU KNOW… Katydids and other crickets “sing” to attract mates, but this sound comes from rubbing their forewings together, rather than from vocal chords.

LIFESPAN Up to 2 years as adults.

SIZE Approximately 7cm as adults.

DIET Leaves and foliage.

S u N B e ETLE

Almost 1 in every 4 species on this planet is... a beetle! Different types of beetle do different jobs, from pollinating wildflowers through to waste recycling (without dung beetles, the world would be much messier...). Young beetles, called grubs, are particularly important recyclers, often living in soil or decaying timber. Grubs are very soft and juicy, making them great food for other animals!

DID YOU KNOW… Sun beetles can sense and identify the fragrance of their favourite fruits using highly-sensitive antennae.

LIFESPAN Up to 1 year.

SIZE Approximately 2 – 3cm.

DIET Bananas and other fruit.

MaLAYSIaN JuNGLE nYMpH

Many insects hide – and predators seek! Being masters of camouflage can be essential for insects such as these jungle nymphs, which are often considered tasty food by other animals! The secretive nature of many insects means that thousands of species are probably still hidden from scientists.

DID YOU KNOW… Female jungle nymphs are much bigger and brighter than the brown-coloured males. They may be amongst the world’s biggest insects.

LIFESPAN Up to 2 years.

SIZE Approximately 10–15cm.

DIET Leaves and foliage.

MILLIPEDE MAZE

Help our milipede friend reach the safety of its forest floor home…

G i AN t AFRI c AN MILLI p ED e

Millipedes are essential workers in their forest homes. They feed on decaying leaves and fruit, ensuring that nutrients are recycled back into the soil. Their tube-like but flexible bodies allow them to tunnel through forest soils and leaf litter, but are flexible enough to let them curl up into a spiral when threatened.

DID YOU KNOW… These millipedes can release a strongsmelling liquid from their bodies to deter predators.

LIFESPAN Up to 10 years.

SIZE Up to 32cm long.

DIET Fallen fruit, dead leaves and other decaying matter.

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Forests and savannas of East Africa.

In our busy world, “the wild” can often seem out of reach, and stopping to notice the important things in life can sometimes seem a challenge. That is a loss for us, and for nature too. Our founder, Gerald Durrell, once wrote that his determination stemmed from the enormous pleasure that nature had always given him – and the Trust remains convinced that sharing that sense of connection to nature, as widely as possible, is vital.

Durrell’s new Slow Trail at Jersey Zoo invites visitors to take some time to reconnect.

The Slow Trail is an alternative way to explore the zoo, offering visitors some simple ideas for slowing down and noticing the nature that surrounds us.

The trail is throughout the zoo for visitors to discover at their own pace, in whichever order they fancy. It isn’t about dashing about in a particular order or trying to ‘do’ everything. Less is more!

Developed with support from the Channel Islands Co-op, the trail is inspired by the zoo’s wild setting. “One of the beauties of this place is that it is truly immersed in nature”, says Andrew Heaver, Conservation Learning Officer at Durrell. “We can offer opportunities to discover and explore nature in a very broad sense, and the Slow Trail is part of allowing that potential to blossom.”

Some of the activities relate to our wonderful resident animals, and many draw attention to landscapes or details among the plant life. Some explore our senses, while others invite us to think about what nature might mean for us. In short, we hope the Slow Trail will provide something for all visitors, so anyone who visits the zoo should be able to find a chance to reconnect with the wild.

Next time you visit Jersey Zoo, why not have a go at the Slow Trail? Look out for the trail’s distinctive signage around the zoo and choose some to try out. We’d love to hear how it goes for you!

MEET THE TEAM

Graeme Dick joined the Durrell team in 2021 as Director of Zoo Operations. Graeme’s role includes the management of the animal teams, vet department, zoo grounds, and organic farm. In this interview, Graeme gives us an insight into his work before joining Durrell and his aspirations for the future of Jersey Zoo.

What have been your first impressions of Durrell? Durrell is an incredible organisation to work for. I love the beautiful grounds of Jersey Zoo, but also to be able to be part of such a fast-paced, progressive and friendly place. It is hugely inspiring and motivating. Everyone I have met and chatted to has had the same drive and passion and that makes me hugely proud to work for Durrell and shout about the work that everyone does. I am particularly amazed at how strong Jersey Zoo’s reputation is within the local community. Jersey Zoo is famous for its rare collection of critically important species, but also for the level of skill and expertise that is found in its staff, and this has been great to witness over the past few months since I joined Durrell. Every day is a learning day, and I am truly enjoying learning from my colleagues across the organisation.

What excited you about the role when you saw it advertised? There are almost too many things to list individually as to why I decided to take up the role at Durrell; the outstanding reputation of Jersey Zoo, the long-standing and durable field programmes, the sheer volume of high-quality research just to name a few. However, there were a few specific key things that most definitely made the decision to leave my last zoo and move to the island easier. The zoo and conservation world is wide-reaching but rather small, and having known many of the Durrell team over the years, getting the opportunity to work alongside some of these characters was a massive draw for me personally. I also saw Jersey Zoo as a place where I felt my skills and background could really make a good impact and continue to help push Durrell and its work saving species from extinction forward. (I also have a real soft spot for aye-ayes and bats, so this definitely helped!)

Tell us about your career leading up to working at Durrell. What have been some of your career highlights so far? I’ve been involved in zoos for over 20 years now, starting as a volunteer bird keeper in Scotland and then completing my degree in Zoology whilst working every available weekend and holiday in some of the biggest safari parks in the UK. I dabbled for a few years in veterinary medicine before deciding to remain in the animal husbandry field. This led me to take up a post for a few years at Al Ain Zoo in Abu Dhabi as Curator of Animal Behaviour and Animal Training. From there, I moved to Longleat Safari Park where I was Head of Animal Adventure. I’ve been lucky enough to travel all around the world on various conservation and animal welfare trips. A more notable highlight was the project I spearheaded for koala and wombat conservation. I was able to work closely with the South Australian Government and local NGOs on koala genetics, population dynamics and bushfire recovery. I was very fortunate to have been sent over to Australia during the 2019 bushfires to help with koala triage and rescue.

What do you hope to achieve in this role? I certainly hope to be able to continue to maintain Jersey Zoo’s high standards and reputation but perhaps with a twist. Looking at the collection and how the zoo interacts with the field programmes is key to showcasing our important fieldwork to our guests. We are living in a challenging world where technology is everything and most people experience wildlife by watching TV or TikTok. The zoo is a prime and safe location to engage our wider audience about the work we do; a place for children to become passionate about all animals and a place for us to continue to develop our husbandry and field skills in a captive setting. I certainly will be looking to ensure we upgrade facilities, expand the range of species that we work with, and keep developing our people so that we can directly help with the captive management of the species we champion worldwide.

Do you have any highlights at Durrell so far? What have been the biggest challenges? For me the highlights have been really getting to know everyone, making friends and colleagues and watching how the zoo changes with the seasons.

Biggest challenges… and there have been many. The outbreak of avian influenza and the difficulties in moving animals and scientific samples around Europe have been interesting. I do like a challenge however and believe firmly that everything is achievable, but it has definitely given us lots of long days scratching our heads.

What inspired you to work with animals?

I’ve always had a love for animals. I think this started when I was younger really. My first pet was a stick insect and then it really grew from there. I got involved with birds of prey when I was young, and this really ignited my passion for working with animals and their conservation. I now sit as vice chair on the raptor taxon group for Europe and this has definitely spanned from my younger years flying birds in demonstrations. Conservation is a difficult term for people to grasp sometimes and I think zoos are hugely important as a way of breaking this down in bitesize chunks. I get great enjoyment out of creating habitats for animals in the zoo and knowing that the animals you’re caring for are a safeguard for the future populations is hugely reassuring.

Do you have a favourite species that you’ve worked with? This is always the hardest question. I think it has to be the sengi, otherwise known as the round eared elephant shrew. They may be tiny, but they have huge personality and the tiniest wiggly noses.

ZOO FOOD

With over 1,000 animals to feed, Jersey Zoo’s solution to ensuring the animals remain well-fed lies close to home. When visiting the zoo, you probably can’t help but notice the keepers roaming around carrying buckets filled with food for all our animals. Much of this food is picked fresh from our very own on-site organic farm, which is run year-round by dedicated staff and volunteers. Over 70 different fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown at the farm, producing over three tonnes of food each year!

X-RAYS

We’ve all heard of X-rays before, but what exactly are they and how do they work?

X-rays have been used for over a century to detect a range of conditions in the body from injuries to diseases. They are quick, painless procedures commonly used on humans and animals to produce images of the inside of the body. Mostly, they are used to look at bones and joints, but can also be used to detect issues affecting internal organs.

This is the X-ray generator – the machine that produces the X-rays. It is held on a stand above the X-ray plate where the animal is placed.

The black plate on which the animal is placed is a Bluetooth-enabled digital X-ray plate. This communicates via Bluetooth to a receiver box connected to the computer, which then digitally processes the image and shows it on the screen.

X-rays are a type of radiation that can pass through the body. The energy is absorbed differently by different parts of the body depending on their density. For example, dense materials like bone and metal will show up as white on an X-ray, whereas softer parts such as the heart, lungs and muscle will show up as darker areas. The X-ray plate on the other side of the body detects the X-rays once they’ve passed through and produces an image.

At Jersey Zoo, the veterinary department uses X-rays as part of routine health checks, for example when an animal is coming out of quarantine or before an animal moves to another zoo. X-rays are also used for diagnostic purposes if an animal is unwell or has suspected injuries. Sometimes X-rays are used to track diseases that are known to progress over time, such as age-related arthritis. Over the last year, the vet team have carried out over 100 radiographic procedures on animals from across the zoo.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Madagascan big-headed turtle, gorilla hand, Chilean falmingo, Burmese python, and a bearded pygmy chameleon.

AMAZING GRACE

On 12th December 2021, we welcomed a precious baby black lion tamarin, named Grace, to the troop at Jersey Zoo. Sadly, the tiny baby did not have the easiest start to life and was discovered alone by keepers, too weak to hold onto her mother. So, our expert team, who have extensive experience of hand rearing different species of tamarin, made the decision to step in to give her the best chance of survival. Our dedicated team of mammal keepers took it in turns to care for Grace, who, in the beginning, needed to be fed every two hours throughout the day and night.

The birth of a highly endangered primate once believed to be extinct is helping to give this irreplaceable species a future.

Usually, the keepers would only hand-rear an animal for a short period of time before returning the baby to the mother to suckle. Unfortunately, Grace did not manage to do so during the first two weeks, so the keepers continued to care for her until she was strong enough to fully return to the family at around two and a half months old. She is now back with her family full-time, sleeping and feeding with the group. Her mother is the only breeding female outside of Brazil, and now Grace too will play a very important part in the breeding programme to help safeguard the future of her species

Durrell has been working to save the black lion tamarin for over three decades and Jersey is currently the only place in the world you can see the beautiful black lion tamarin outside of its native Brazil.

BE INSPIRED

We are so grateful to our fundraisers, members and sponsors and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us. We hope some of the ways supporters are helping to save wildlife will also inspire you.

INVESTEC JEWELS OF ASSAM BALL

April saw the return of our bi-annual ball, which was a celebration of Durrell’s 50-year commitment to rewilding the grasslands of Assam in Northern India. This show-stopping evening featured a live performance from Ronan Keating and raised £181,858 to continue our vital work saving the elusive pygmy hog and restoring the precious grasslands so that both people and wildlife can thrive.

PROSPERITY DAY

Take to the turbo trainer for Durrell with Prosperity Day on Friday 15th July! Teams of three cyclists will statically cycle using 3D technology and race a gruelling virtual stage of the Tour de France. Since 2015, Prosperity Day has raised a fantastic £118,000 for charity, and this year we are delighted that they will donate 50% of the proceeds to Durrell. To find out more, visit www.prosperity247.com/prosperity-day or to register, email enquiries@prosperity247.com or call 01534 877247.

CARBONPASS APP

Connectivity is a vital part of island life and thanks to Ports of Jersey, you can now balance the carbon footprint of your travel via their innovative CarbonPass app, which supports our Rewild Carbon initiative. So, next time you travel through Jersey Airport or Harbour, make sure you download the app, pick your destination, and make your trip carbon neutral!

THE CHARITY KIDS

You’re never too young to become a Zoo Hero! Together, Ailsa, Olivia and Ella are the ‘The Charity Kids’ and are taking on several challenges to help charities across the island. Their quest began with a 6-mile walk from St Aubin to Corbiere and back, for which the Charity Kids raised an amazing £600 for Durrell. We wish Ailsa, Olivia and Ella the best of luck with their future fundraising!

BLUE ISLANDS’ CARBON NEUTRAL FLYING

Blue Islands takes us another step towards greener getaways by committing to making all their flights carbon neutral. Through their partnership with Durrell, the airline has given a contribution to Rewild Carbon, which will balance the emissions of every seat booked on their flights. This partnership means that plans to connect forest fragments in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil can be accelerated. Find out more at www.blueislands.com/ourplanet

DRAGON FISH ROW

30-foot waves, 3,000 miles, two men, and potentially marlin! In December of 2022, Peter Wright and Steve Hayes will face the world’s toughest row across the Atlantic on behalf of Durrell. Peter and Steve want to use funds raised to support the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, where we are working alongside local partners to restore the rainforest habitat. All the best to Peter and Steve with their ultimate challenge! To support this epic challenge, visit www.dragonfishrow.com

YOU’RE CREATING… A wilder, healthier, more colourful world

Thanks to our incredible members, we are delighted to share that we reached £1 million worth of memberships in 2021! We are so grateful to be a part of such a generous, caring community. With your memberships, we can continue our vital work both at Jersey Zoo and our rewilding sites around the world. To find out more about how your membership helps Durrell, please email us at supportercare@durrell.org Thank you to our Durrell family!

TRAINING FOCUS TOM AMEY PROGRAMMES

MANAGER, ECOSYSTEMIMPACT FOUNDATION

Tom Amey is the Programmes Manager for EcosystemImpact Foundation in Sumatra. Tom has recently undertaken the DESMAN (Durrell Endangered Species Management) course, followed by the Professional Development Programme at Durrell Conservation Academy in Jersey.

What first inspired you to work in wildlife conservation? Growing up in rural Devon, England, I think like many conservationists my love affair with nature grew out of a childhood curiosity for the natural world around me, parents who did everything they could to get me out and about in the countryside, and of course, lots of David Attenborough. I had very little choice in the matter; weekends were filled with long walks, wild swimming, and holidays were always to somewhere rural and remote. My introduction to science and conservation came at the age of eight, where I was very lucky to have an incredibly inspiring and enthusiastic naturalist as a teacher. She got us pond dipping and bird watching whenever possible, where everything was to be recorded in neat little self-drawn tally charts. I distinctly remember, in the middle of particularly boring math or English lessons, someone would shout “blue tit” or “nuthatch” and we would all run to the window eager to draw another line in our tally charts.

Tell us about your career path so far and how you got to where you are today. Fast-forward twenty years and, having finished a degree in geography and participated in a number of conservation internships in South Africa, Australia and closer to home with the RSPB, I now find myself working as Programmes Manager for EcosystemImpact Foundation on the small island of Simeulue off North Sumatra. EcosystemImpact is a conservation organisation that protects Simeulue and surrounding islands’ endangered sea turtle and bird species through community ranger projects, conservation breeding programmes and environmental education. Unfortunately, Indonesia’s sea turtles and songbirds are severely threatened by poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Turtle nesting beaches are raided every night for turtle eggs, which are considered a local delicacy and free food source. Being Indonesia’s

most common pet, songbirds are traded prolifically across Southeast Asia, meaning they are disappearing from forests at an alarming rate.

What does your role at EcosystemImpact involve? As Programmes Manager, I am responsible for overseeing each of our projects, managing a diverse team of individual project managers, community rangers, field staff and breeding programme keepers. My role also involves finding sources of funding, managing these funds, along with maintaining EcosystemImpact’s international network of partners. We are a relatively new organisation, but I am proud to say we are growing and developing fast and are having a positive impact on the island’s species, habitats and the capacity of local communities to protect their biodiversity.

Why did you apply for the DESMAN course and what do you hope to gain from the experience? The DESMAN course was recommended to me by a number of friends and colleagues who had either worked at Durrell or participated in one of their courses. The DESMAN course sounded like the perfect way to develop my skills and become a more effective conservation manager, so I jumped at the opportunity to participate. For me, the DESMAN course has provided a wide variety of relevant theory and skills training. A particular highlight has been getting to know the Durrell team and learn about the unbelievable impact the Trust has had; it’s not often one gets lectures by people who have saved multiple species from extinction! Learning about each species saved from extinction is beyond inspiring and makes having a very real positive conservation impact seem possible – a positive message that we all need to hear more often.

What’s the most important thing you’ve taken from the course? I am particularly excited by the Professional Development Programme, which follows on from the DESMAN course. This provides bespoke training and post-course mentoring to help students effectively implement what they have learnt during the course when back in their workplace. Working on a remote island like Simeulue, it is connections like this that make our work possible.

Through providing mentoring, guidance and technical advice, Durrell is playing a crucial role in the development of EcosystemImpact’s songbird projects. More personally, the course is helping develop the valuable leadership skills needed in myself and my team to drive such ambitious projects. Many of the Durrell staff also play lead roles in global conservation networks such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group (ASTSG), and it is guidance from groups like this that has enabled EcosystemImpact’s projects.

Can you tell us about EcosystemImpact’s collaboration with Durrell? During 2022, EcosystemImpact will work with Durrell and the Ellen Fund, along with ASTSG partners Marlow Bird Park and ZGAP, to breed and reintroduce Simeulue hill myna and Simeulue Barusan shama, two critically endangered subspecies of songbird found only on Simeulue but now thought to be extinct in the wild. Through the development of a pre-release aviary and community ranger project, supported by environmental education, we will release birds bred on Simeulue onto a small satellite island – a specialty of Durrell with their vast experience gained from their success in Mauritius, the Caribbean, Madagascar and the Channel Islands. Our long-term goal is to reestablish sustainable wild populations of these endemic subspecies. With the continued rampant trade in songbirds across the region, this will not be an easy task. None the less, we believe through developing community support, generating a local sense of pride in these beautiful songbirds, and providing alternative sustainable sources of income, Simeulue’s forests will once again be filled with bird song.

Investing in the conservationists of tomorrow. Durrell is extremely grateful to Mark and Esther Tavener, who generously funded the cost of Tom’s training through The Carl Jones Scholarship Fund.

If you’d like to know more about The Carl Jones Scholarship Fund and how you can support the next generation of conservationists, please email paula.loveday@durrell.org

JERSEY ZOO IN NUMBERS

Jersey Zoo is more than just our headquarters; it is the heartbeat of Durrell. It is a centre of excellence in animal husbandry, research, training and education as well as endangered species breeding. The zoo also provides a window into the wild to help connect people to nature.

48

33

9

£4273 PER DAY TO LOOK AFTER ALL THE ANIMALS*

NUMBER

NUMBER

*based on 2019

JERSEY ZOO OPENED ON 26 MARCH 1959

NUMBER OF SPECIES CURRENTLY AT THE ZOO

364 THE NUMBER OF DAYS THE ZOO IS OPEN EACH YEAR

OF VISITORS PER YEAR 240,000 *

42 ZOOKEEPERS AND VETERINARY STAFF

23 PINK PIGEONS

69,516 AGILE FROGS

5 BLACK LION TAMARINS 145 MOUNTAIN CHICKEN FROGS

11 RED-BILLED CHOUGHS

OF ZOO-BRED ANIMALS RELEASED INTO THE WILD OR RETURNED TO THEIR HOME COUNTRY…

REPTILES

26 MAMMALS

AMPHIBIANS

BIRDS

32 ACRES IN SIZE ZOO

BECOME A DURRELL GARDIEN

JOIN A GROUP OF WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS SUPPORTING DURRELL’S VISION OF A WILDER, HEALTHIER, MORE COLOURFUL WORLD.

Set up by Gerald and Lee Durrell on the 25th anniversary of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to be true “guardians” of the Trust, the Durrell Gardiens are a committed group of supporters, passionate about conservation and making a difference. The Gardiens are ambassadors for Durrell and take pride in sharing our work with friends and acquaintances worldwide.

Gardiens receive invitations to bespoke events and behind-thescenes tours, and are among the first to gain insights into our work direct from the Jersey Zoo team and international conservationists. As a Gardien, you will also receive regular project updates and, together with the Durrell team, you will be part of the process in deciding where your collective gift is allocated.

Meet our Chef de Gardiens

Richard Prosser has been a passionate Durrell supporter for many years and took on the voluntary role of ‘Chef de Gardiens’ in October 2020. Richard would be delighted to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about joining as a Durrell Gardien.

Please contact Richard on +44 7797717344 or email him at richard@prosser.je

Being a Gardien involves giving an annual gift of £1,500 to Durrell, enabling our mission of saving species from extinction, and directly supporting our zoo projects, which are vital to our vision of a wilder, healthier, more colourful world.

JOINING AS A GARDIEN BRINGS YOU EVEN CLOSER TO THE WORK OF DURRELL, WITH EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE EXPERT TEAM AND EXPERIENCE OUR WORK FIRST-HAND.

be part of Generation Rewild

The continuing decline in the health of our planet has a direct and severe impact on people’s livelihoods, well-being and the sustainability of the global economy.

One million species are currently threatened with extinction. Over 140 million people are likely to be displaced by climate change in the next two decades. Right now, nature is being eroded at an unprecedented rate.

It’s a daunting problem but being part of Generation Rewild unites our influence. Together, we can reverse this trend and heal the planet by rebuilding wild and resilient landscapes in which species can thrive and people can enjoy a deeper connection with nature.

From £3 a month you can create a healthy world where both people and wildlife can thrive.

DURRELL.ORG/REGULARGIVING

“When man continues to destroy nature, he saws the very branch on which he sits since the rational protection of nature is at the same time the protection of mankind”

GERALD DURRELL

Our proven approach to recovering threatened species and their habitats is based on six decades of passion and expertise.

We work hand in hand with our supporters, partners, local governments, and communities on a four-stranded approach.

Rewilding sites

Where we deliver hands-on conservation to combat human-driven threats, support local communities, recover species, and restore habitats.

Jersey Zoo

As a centre of excellence in animal husbandry, research, training and education where we deliver endangered species breeding.

Training

At our Academies in Jersey and Mauritius gives the next generation of conservation leaders the skills and knowledge they need to save species.

Science

Underpins our mission and provides evidence to guide our decisions, measure our effectiveness, and achieve the greatest impact.

You can ensure that some of the world’s rarest animals are nurtured and have a home to return to in the wild.

A monthly gift from you will allow us to plan ahead so we can achieve the greatest impact and drive the change needed to protect and restore the people, places and wildlife that together form our natural world.

£3 a month could protect endangered turtle eggs in Madagascar

£5 a month could help feed precious pygmy hogs in India before being released into the wild

£9 a month could help care for our beloved gorilla family at Jersey Zoo

In 2023 giant tortoises are taking over Jersey

The trail will see dozens of artist-imagined sculptures adorn Jersey’s wild places, coastal lookouts, and urban hangouts next summer.

These charismatic creatures are ambassadors for all the work thst Durrell undertakes with reptiles across the globe. The trail will raise funds to build a new Tropical House at the zoo to help us care for our tortoises, other reptiles and amphibians.

Find out more tortoisetakeover.org

#tortoisetakeover

@jerseytortoises

A Wild in Art event delivered in partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust