One of the most interesting places worth to visit in Jersey is Durrell’s Zoo (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust). Not only for children can it be an intriguing  journey to jungles or cloud forest to watch wild animals and birds, but also it can be a good quality entertainment for adults. I can say it from my own experience. Personally, before visiting Durrell’s Zoo I had some concerns, but I never regret about time I spent there. Very friendly atmosphere, good quality facilities, well-thought-out landscape design and the main attraction – rare animals, birds and exotic plants make this place absolutely fascinating.

flamingos in Durrell's Zoo

This Trust was founded by the famous naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell as a zoo in Jersey in 1959 and established as the charity organisation Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust in 1963. After Gerald Durrell’s death in 1995 it was renamed to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in honour of his immense contribution to conservation. The aim of this trust is to save endangered species from extinction and it has been doing this successfully for fifty years. It is hard to imagine a huge amount of job being done by Durrell’s staff. Durrell combines managing animals in Jersey with efforts to save species in their own countries. The animals that are kept in captivity remain the property of the government and people of their native country. It is important to understand that saving a species requires habitat protection, involvement of local people, long term study and support. The Trust is a pioneer in developing conservation and breeding techniques which are recognised worldwide. Gerald Durrell knew that training conservationists around the world is, perhaps, the most effective way of saving endangered species and their habitats. So, the Trust has been running unique courses of good conservation practice in the International Training Centre. The international Training Centre has already trained over 1500 graduates from 120 countries to build capacity for biodiversity conservation worldwide.

What to see

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Durrell’s headquarters in Jersey is located in superbly landscaped parkland and water-gardens. There are many beautiful and rare trees, plants and shrubs, and the natural habitats that mirror the native homelands of the exotic endangered species. Looking after the island’s native flora and fauna there has been created large areas for local wildlife such as kingfishers, bank voles, butterflies, dragonflies and several species of wild fowl. Durrell is propagating many of Jersey’s rarest species of plants. Many exotic plants thrive within the grounds because of warm climate. You can also see the red squirrel and illusive short-toed tree creeper there.

The Durrell’s Organic Farm was created in 1976 and provides 80% of the animals’ fruit, vegetables and forage needs over the year.

You can explore natural behaviour of brightly coloured hooded pittas, laughing thrushes, Pekin robins and Java sparrows in carefully designed walk-through aviary. The aviary creates the feel of being surrounded of Asia’s forest.

In Cloud Forest enclosures around the park two or more species live together that gives the more realistic impression of high mountains, misty forests. Howler monkeys, coatis and Andean bears are increasingly threatened by destruction of its habitat as people settle in cloud forest in the South American Andes.

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Caribbean iguanas, turtles and tortoises, snakes and vibrant -coloured poison-dart frogs are in a reptiles and amphibians pavilion. This pavilion has proved itself as a facinating kids-friendly place.

One of the most gripping places to visit at Durrell is mammal’s enclosures. You can explore the natural behaviour of gorillas, whom are excellent parents, absolutely charming orangutans, rapidly-moving through the trees gibbons, highly social short-tailed macaques showing their pink bottoms.You can enjoy watching the smallest of the monkeys marmosets and tamarins carrying their babies.

There are also several attention-grasping enclosures with small mammals. Meerkats are kept in spacious and well-designed child-friendly enclosure. They usually have several youngsters and the whole group shares baby-sitting and guard duty.Otters have their own pond with the stream and demonstrate their lively character and cleanliness.You can spend a lot of time watching these animals. It is really entertaining.

Recently restored valley site is the home for flamingos,grey crowed and blue cranes.It is possible to see flamingos closer than one metre and you can make good shoots of them.

It is worth to mention about fruit bat tunnel. It was build in order to prevent bats to become overweight, because their original aviary was too small, they could cross it in a single wing beat with their wingspan of well over a metre. Fruit bats are very unusual and cute animals and they also need human’s help to survive in wild.

What to do

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There is the daily animal talks programme; most of them are given as the animals are fed. It is a good opportunity to discover more about the animals. The talks timetable changes seasonally and leaflets are available in the Visitor Centre.

In the Education Centre there is the film show telling about Durrell’s work. There is also the opportunity to visit the Children’s Corner, where younger children will find books and other activities.

Free guided tours are also available, but need to be booked in advance. Special needs groups are welcome and dodo-mobiles and shop-mobility scooters can be hired for a nominal fee.

A range of evens are organised each year, including open-air performances of Shakespeare,exhibitions,lectures and workshops.

The licensed Dodo Restaurant offers a wide range of cold and hot refreshments,snacks and meals throughout the day. In the Visitor Centre gift shop you can buy Souvenirs, clothing and a wide range of books about wildlife,including many books by Gerald Durrell.

There is a large free car park.

Opening times

Durrell is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day from 9.30 till 6.00 (summer) and from 9.30 till 5.00 (winter)

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Travel

There are regular buses from St Helier throughout the day. Bus times are available from the Bus Station or the Visitor Centre.

By car from St Helier go on A8 and then B31. Durrell’s Zoo is clearly singposted and located in Les Augres Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands