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.

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. 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 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.

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.