SLOW TRAIL

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!