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The Gerald Durrell Memorial VHS cover, with a self portrait
The Gerald Durrell Memorial VHS cover, with a self portrait

Gerald ('Gerry') Malcolm Durrell, OBE (January 7, 1925 – January 30, 1995) was a naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author, and television presenter. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Natural history is the Scientific research of Plants or Animals leaning more towards the Observational than Experimental methods A zoological garden, shortened to zoo, is an institution in which living animals are exhibited in captivity The conservation movement also known as nature conservation is a political social and to some extent scientific movement that seeks to protect natural resources including An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created A presenter, or host (sometimes hostess, in feminine form is a Person or Organization responsible for running an event He founded what is now called the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo (now renamed Durrell Wildlife) on the Channel Island of Jersey in 1958, but is perhaps best remembered for writing a number of books based on his life as an animal collector and enthusiast. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. He was the brother of the novelist Lawrence Durrell. Lawrence George Durrell ( February 27, 1912 &ndash November 7, 1990) was an expatriate British Novelist, Poet,

Contents

Biography

Durrell was born in Jamshedpur, then Bihar Province, India on January 7, 1925. Jamshedpur ( जमशेदपुर in Devanagari) is a city located in the state of Jharkhand in India, founded by the late Jamshedji India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. His parents had themselves been born in India but were of English and Irish descent. He was the fourth surviving and final child of Louisa Florence Durrell (née Dixie) and Lawrence Samuel Durrell. Lawrence Samuel Durrell ( September 23, 1884 - April 16, 1928) was a British Indian subject and engineer and is best remembered as Durrell's father was a British engineer, and as befitting family status, the infant Durrell spent most of his time in the company of the ayah or nursemaid. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Durrell reportedly recalls his first visit to a zoo in India, and attributes his life-long love of animals to that encounter. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The family moved to England after the death of his father in 1928. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Back in England, the Durrells settled in the Upper Norwood - Crystal Palace area of South London. Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19 Crystal Palace is a residential area in South London, England named from the erstwhile local landmark The Crystal Palace, which occupied the [1] Durrell was enrolled in Wickwood School, but usually stayed at home feigning illness. [2]

The Corfu years

The family moved to the Greek island of Corfu in 1935, where Durrell began to collect and keep the local fauna as pets. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Corfu (Κέρκυρα Kérkyra, ˈkʲe̞ɾkʲiɾa Κέρκυρα or Κόρκυρα Corcyra Corfù is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea Fauna is all of the Animal life of any particular region or time A pet is an Animal kept for companionship and enjoyment or a househeld animal as opposed to Livestock, Laboratory animals Working animals The family stayed until 1939. This interval was later the basis of the book My Family and Other Animals and its successors, Birds, Beasts and Relatives, The Garden of the Gods and a few short stories like "My Donkey Sally". My Family and Other Animals is an autobiographical work by naturalist Gerald Durrell, telling of his childhood spent on the Greek island Birds Beasts and Relatives is the second volume of the autobiographical Corfu Trilogy by naturalist Gerald Durrell. Durrell was home-schooled during this time by various family friends and private tutors, mostly friends of his eldest brother Lawrence (later to be a famous novelist). Lawrence George Durrell ( February 27, 1912 &ndash November 7, 1990) was an expatriate British Novelist, Poet, One of them, the Greek doctor, scientist, poet and philosopher Theodore Stephanides would be Durrell's friend and mentor, and his ideas would leave a lasting impression on the young naturalist. Theodore Stephanides ( 1896 - 13 April 1983) was a Greek poet author doctor and naturalist Together, they would examine Corfu fauna, which Durrell would house in everything from test tubes to bathtubs. Another major influence during these formative years, according to Durrell, was the writing of French naturalist Jean Henri Fabre. Jean-Henri Casimir Fabre ( December 22, 1823 - October 11, 1915) was a French Entomologist and author

The London years and Whipsnade Zoo

Gerald, his mother, brother Leslie and their Greek maid Maria Kondos moved back to England in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II . England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Difficult as it was in the war and post-war years to find a job, especially for a home-schooled youth, the enterprising Durrell worked as a help at an aquarium and pet store. Some reminiscences of this period can be found in Fillets of Plaice. His call-up for the war came in 1943, but he was exempted from military duty on medical grounds, and asked to serve the war effort by working on a farm. After the war, Durrell joined Whipsnade Zoo as a junior or student keeper in 1945. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is a Zoo located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. This move fulfilled a lifelong dream: Durrell claims in The Stationary Ark that the first word that he could enunciate with any clarity was "zoo". Beasts in My Belfry recalls events of this period.

The early animal expeditions

Durrell left Whipsnade Zoo in May, 1946 in order to join wildlife collecting expeditions of the time, but was denied a place in the voyages due to his lack of experience. Durrell's wildlife expeditions began with a 1947 trip to the British Cameroons (now Cameroon) with ornithologist John Yealland, financed by a £3,000 inheritance from his father on the occasion of his turning 21. British Cameroons was a British Mandate territory in West Africa, now divided between Nigeria and Cameroon. The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. Ornithology (from Greek ὄρνις ὄρνιθος ornis, ornithos, "bird" and λόγος logos, "knowledge" is the branch of John Yealland was a noted British Aviculturist and Ornithologist. "Heir" and "Heiress" redirect here For the men and women fragrances endorsed by Paris Hilton see Heiress (fragrance. The animals he brought back were sold to London Zoo, Chester Zoo, Paignton Zoo, Bristol Zoo and Belle Vue Zoo (Manchester). ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used Chester Zoo is a Zoological garden located in Cheshire in north west England. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is situated on the outskirts of the town of Paignton in Devon, England. Bristol Zoo is a Zoo in the city of Bristol in South West England. Belle Vue Zoological Gardens was a large Zoo, Amusement park, exhibition hall complex and Speedway stadium located in Belle Vue, Gorton He continued such excursions for many decades, during which time he became famous for his work for wildlife conservation. The conservation movement also known as nature conservation is a political social and to some extent scientific movement that seeks to protect natural resources including

He followed up this successful expedition with two others, accompanied by fellow Whipsnade zookeeper Ken Smith: a repeat trip to the British Cameroon, and to British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1949 and 1950 respectively. British Guiana was the name of the British Colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana. Guyana (ɡaɪˈænə or /ɡiːˈɑːnə/ officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is the only Nation state On the first of these trips, he met and befriended the shrewd and colourful Fon of Bafut Achirimbi II, an autocratic West African chieftain, who would help him organize future missions. The Fon of Bafut is the fon or Mfor (traditional ruler of the town of Bafut and its adjoining areas in the Northwest Province, Cameroon which Achirimbi II was the tenth king or Fon of Bafut who ruled over the town of Bafut and adjoining areas (the Fondom of Bafut) in a semi-autonomous fashion

Because of his dedication, Durrell housed and fed his captives with the best supplies obtainable, never over-collecting specimens, never trapping animals having merely "show value", or those which would fetch high prices from collectors. These practices differed from those of other animal-collecting expeditions of the time, and, as a result, Durrell was broke by the end of his third expedition. Further, due to a falling-out with George Cansdale, superintendent of the London Zoo, Durrell was blackballed by the British zoo community and could not secure a job in most zoos, ultimately securing a job at the aquarium at Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester where he remained for some time. ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used

On February 26, 1951, after an extended courtship, Durrell married Manchester resident Jacqueline ('Jacquie') Sonia Wolfenden — they eloped, due to opposition from her father. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January Jacqueline ('Jacquie' Sonia Durrell (née Wolfenden) (b 1929 Manchester UK) was the first wife of Gerald Durrell. Jacquie would go on to accompany Durrell on most of his following animal expeditions, would help found and manage the Jersey Zoo, and would write two humorous, bestselling memoirs on the lines of Durrell's books, to raise money for conservation efforts. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the In 1979, Durrell decided that, due to their disagreements about management issues, it was best they divorce.

With encouragement from Jacquie, and advice from elder brother Lawrence, Gerald Durrell started writing autobiographical accounts to raise money. His first book — The Overloaded Ark — was a huge success, causing Durrell to follow up with other such accounts. While Durrell only made £50 from British rights (Faber and Faber), he obtained £500 from the United States rights (Viking Press) for the book, and thus managed to raise money for a fourth expedition to South America in 1954. Faber and Faber, often abbreviated to Faber, is an independent publishing house in the UK, notable in particular for publishing The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Viking Press is an American Publishing company currently owned by Penguin Books. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a This, however, was undertaken during a political coup d'etat in Paraguay and was unsuccessful. Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay ( Spanish: República del Paraguay; Guaraní: Tetã Paraguái) is one of the only

Foundations for the Jersey Zoo

Durrell with chimpanzees from one of his African expeditions
Durrell with chimpanzees from one of his African expeditions

The publication of My Family and Other Animals in 1956 made Durrell a notable author, in addition, bringing him public recognition as a naturalist. Chimpanzee (often shortened to chimp) is the common name for the two extant Species of Apes in the Genus Pan. My Family and Other Animals is an autobiographical work by naturalist Gerald Durrell, telling of his childhood spent on the Greek island Royalties from this book, which made bestseller lists in the United Kingdom, helped fund Durrell's next expedition. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Durrell's growing disillusionment with the way zoos of the time were run, and his belief that they should primarily act as reserves and regenerators of endangered species, made him contemplate founding his own zoo. His 1957 trip to Cameroon for the third and last time was primarily to collect animals which would form the core collection of his own zoo. The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. This expedition was also filmed, Durrell's first experiment with making a cinematographic record of his work with animals. The success of the film To Bafut with Beagles, together with his popular and autobiographical radio program Encounters with Animals, made Durrell a regular with the BBC Natural History unit for decades to come, as well as generating much-needed funds for his conservation projects.

On his return from Bafut, Durrell stayed with his sister Margaret at her boarding house in the seaside resort of Bournemouth. Margaret ('Margo' Isabel Mabel Durrell (1920-2007 was the younger sister of novelist Lawrence Durrell, and elder sister of naturalist author Bournemouth ( is a large coastal resort town in the Borough of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. His animals were housed in her gardens and garage on a temporary basis, while Durrell sought prospective sites for a zoo. To his dismay, both Bournemouth and Poole municipalities turned down his suggestion for a zoo. Bournemouth ( is a large coastal resort town in the Borough of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England This experience provided material for his book A Zoo in My Luggage.

The Zoo and the Trust

Dodos stand guard at the gates of the Jersey Zoo
Dodos stand guard at the gates of the Jersey Zoo

Durrell founded the Jersey Zoological Park in 1958 to house his growing collection of animals. The dodo ( Raphus cucullatus) was a Flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the The site for the zoo, a 16th-century manor house, Les Augres Manor, came to Durrell's notice by chance after a long and unsuccessful search for a suitable site. Les Augrès Manor is a 16th century Manor house in the parish of Trinity in Jersey, on the road La Profonde Rue. Durrell leased the manor and set up his zoo on the redesigned manor grounds. In the same year, Durrell undertook another, more successful expedition to South America to collect endangered species. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a The zoo was opened to the public in 1959 on Easter Sunday. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year.

As the zoo grew in size, so did the number of projects undertaken to save threatened wildlife in other parts of the world. Durrell was instrumental in founding the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, on July 6, 1963 to cope with the increasingly difficult challenges of zoo, wildlife and habitat management. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The Trust opened an international wing, the Wildlife Preservation Trust International, in U. Wildlife Trust is a non-profit non-governmental organization headquartered in New York City working on Conservation ecology and Captive breeding issues S. in 1971, to aid international conservation efforts in a better fashion. That year, the Trust bought out Les Augres Manor from its owner, Major Hugh Fraser, giving the zoo a permanent home.

Durrell's initiative caused the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society to start the World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity as an Aid to their Survival in 1972 at Jersey, today one of the most prestigious conferences in the field. Fauna and Flora International (formerly the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society) was founded in 1903 as the Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire The World Conference on Breeding Endangered Species in Captivity as an Aid to their Survival (WCBESCAS is the world's first and one of the most prestigious conferences on Captive The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. 1972 also saw Princess Anne becoming a patron of the Trust, an action which brought the Trust into media limelight, and helped raise funds. Patronage is the support encouragement privilege and often financial aid given by a person or an organization

The new logo for Wildlife Preservation Canada
The new logo for Wildlife Preservation Canada

The 1970s saw Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust become a leading zoo in the field of captive breeding, championing the cause among species like the Lowland Gorilla, and various Mauritian fauna. Wildlife Preservation Canada is a non-profit non-governmental organization working on conservation and Captive breeding issues in Canada. Gorillas, the largest of the living Primates are ground-dwelling Herbivores that inhabit the Forests of Africa. Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République Durrell visited Mauritius several times and co-ordinated large scale conservation efforts in Mauritius, involving captive breeding programs for native birds and reptiles, ecological recovery of Round Island, training local staff, and setting up local in-situ and ex-situ conservation facilities. This ultimately led to the founding of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation in 1984. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF is a non-governmental non-profit conservation agency working in Mauritius to save threatened endemic local flora and fauna

Jacquie Durrell separated from and then divorced Gerald Durrell in 1979, citing his increasing work pressure and mounting stress as causes.

Durrell met his second wife Lee McGeorge Durrell in 1977 when he lectured at Duke University, where she was studying for a PhD in animal communication. Lee McGeorge Durrell (nee Wilson (b September 7 1949) is a naturalist, Author, Zookeeper Duke University is a private Research University located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. They married in 1979. She co-authored a number of books with him, including The Amateur Naturalist, and became the Honorary Director of the Trust after his death.

In 1978 Durrell started the training centre for conservationists at the zoo, or the "mini-university" in his words. As of 2005, over a thousand biologists, naturalists, zoo veterinarians, and zoo architects from 104 countries have attended the International Training Centre. Durrell was also instrumental in forming the Captive Breeding Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union in 1982.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust logo of a Dodo
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust logo of a Dodo
The Wildlife Trust logo of a Black Tamarin
The Wildlife Trust logo of a Black Tamarin

Durrell founded Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada, now Wildlife Preservation Canada, in 1985. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. The dodo ( Raphus cucullatus) was a Flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Wildlife Trust is a non-profit non-governmental organization headquartered in New York City working on Conservation ecology and Captive breeding issues The Black Tamarin ( Saguinus niger) or Black-handed Tamarin, is a Species of Tamarin endemic to Brazil. Wildlife Preservation Canada is a non-profit non-governmental organization working on conservation and Captive breeding issues in Canada. The official appeal Saving Animals from Extinction was launched in 1991, at a time when British zoos were not faring well and London Zoo was in danger of closing down. ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used

In 1989, Durrell and his wife Lee, along with David Attenborough and cricket star David Gower helped launch the World Land Trust (then the World Wide Land Conservation Trust). Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS (born 8 May 1926 in London, England Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries David Ivon Gower, OBE (born April 1, 1957) is a retired Cricket player and current cricket broadcaster The World Land Trust (formerly the World Wide Land Conservation Trust) is a UK -based nonprofit Environmental The initial goal of the trust was to purchase rain forest land in Belize as part of the Programme for Belize. Belize (bəˈliːz formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. The Programme for Belize is the first project undertaken by the World Land Trust, in 1989 Around this time Gerald Durrell developed a friendship with Charles Rycroft, who became an important donor of funds both for building works in Jersey (the Harcroft Lecture Theatre) and for conservation work in East Africa, Madagascar and elsewhere. This article is about Charles Rycroft the businessman See Charles Rycroft for the psychologist with this name

1990 saw the Trust establish a conservation program in Madagascar along the lines of the Mauritius program. Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République Durrell visited Madagascar in 1990 to start captive breeding of a number of endemic species like the Aye Aye. The Aye-aye ( Daubentonia madagascariensis) is a Strepsirrhine native to Madagascar that combines Rodent -like teeth with a long thin middle

Durrell chose the Dodo, the flightless bird of Mauritius that was hunted to extinction in the 1600s, as the logo for both the Jersey Zoo and the Trust. The dodo ( Raphus cucullatus) was a Flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. The children's chapter of the Trust is called the Dodo Club. The Dodo Club is the children's wing of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust based in Jersey, Channel Islands. Following his death, the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust was renamed Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at the 40th anniversary of the Zoo on 26 March, 1999. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. The Wildlife Preservation Trust International also changed its name to Wildlife Trust in 2000, and adopted the logo of the Black Tamarin. The Black Tamarin ( Saguinus niger) or Black-handed Tamarin, is a Species of Tamarin endemic to Brazil.

Final years

Durrell in his final years, with Cottontop Tamarin
Durrell in his final years, with Cottontop Tamarin

A hard, outdoor life, led Durrell to health problems in the 1980s. The Cottontop Tamarin ( Saguinus oedipus) also known as the Pinché Tamarin, is a small New World monkey weighing less than 1lb (0 He underwent a hip-replacement surgery in a bid to counter arthritis, but he also suffered from liver problems. Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation plural arthritides is a group of conditions involving damage to the Joints of the body His health deteriorated rapidly after the 1990 Madagascar trip. Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern Durrell died of post-surgical complications following a liver transplantation, on January 30, 1995. Liver transplantation or hepatic transplantation is the replacement of a diseased Liver with a healthy liver Allograft. Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 His ashes are buried under a memorial plaque with a quote by William Beebe in Jersey Zoo. Charles William ("Will" Beebe ( July 29, 1877 &ndash June 4, 1962) was an American naturalist, explorer

"The beauty and genius of a work of art may be re-conceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer; but when the last individual of a race of living beings breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again. "

(The Bird, 1906)

A memorial celebrating Durrell's life and work was held at the Natural History Museum, London on June 28, 1995. The Natural History Museum is one of three large Museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London (the others are the Science Museum London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Participants included personal friends like the famous television presenter David Attenborough and Princess Anne. Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS (born 8 May 1926 in London, England

Policy for zoos

Gerald Durrell was ahead of his time when he postulated the role that a 20th century zoo should play, primarily in Stationary Ark. A zoological garden, shortened to zoo, is an institution in which living animals are exhibited in captivity His idea relies on the following bases:

Durrell's ideas about housing zoo animals also brings his priorities to the fore. The bases on which enclosures at Jersey are built:

Jersey Zoo was the first zoo to only house endangered breeding species, and has been one of the pioneers in the field of captive breeding. The International Training Centre, and the organization of the conference on captive breeding are also notable firsts.

Durrell initially faced stiff opposition and criticism from some members of the zoo community when he introduced the idea of captive breeding, and was only vindicated after successfully breeding a wide range of species. Captive breeding is the process of breeding rare or Endangered species in human controlled environments with restricted settings such as wildlife preserves Zoos One of the most active opposition members was George Cansdale, superintendent of the London Zoo and Zoological Society of London, and wielder of considerable influence in the zoo community. ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used The Zoological Society of London (sometimes known by the abbreviation ZSL) is a Learned society founded in London in April 1826 by Sir Thomas Stamford

See also: Biogeography, Biogeographic Regions, and Ecological niche

Durrell's books

Durrell's popularity in Hungary and Eastern Europe is exemplified by this bust in Miskolc Zoo
Durrell's popularity in Hungary and Eastern Europe is exemplified by this bust in Miskolc Zoo

Durrell's books, both fiction and non-fiction, have a wry, loose style that poked fun at himself as well as those around him. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of Biodiversity over Space and Time. An ecozone or biogeographic realm is the largest scale biogeographic division of the earth's surface based on the historic and evolutionary distribution patterns In Ecology, a niche (pronounced nich nēsh or nish A shorthand definition of niche is how an organism makes a living Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. Miskolc (miʃkolts approximate pronunciation "Me-shkolts" in Slovak Miškovec, in Polish Miszkolc) is a city in North-East Perhaps his best-known work is My Family and Other Animals (1956), which tells of his idyllic, if oddball, childhood on Corfu. The year 1956 in literature involved some significant events and new books Later made into a TV series, it is delightfully deprecating about the whole family, especially elder brother Lawrence, who became a famous novelist. Despite Durrell's jokes at the expense of "brother Larry," the two were close friends all their lives.

Gerald Durrell always insisted that he wrote for royalties to help the cause of environmental stewardship, not out of an inherent love for writing. Gerald Durrell describes himself as a writer in comparison to his brother Lawrence:

The subtle difference between us is that he loves writing and I don't. To me it's simply a way to make money which enables me to do my animal work, nothing more.

However, he shows a surprising diversity and dexterity in a wide variety of writing, including:

Durrell was also a regular contributor to magazines on both sides of the Atlantic like Harper's, Atlantic Monthly, and The Sunday Times Supplement. Harper's Magazine (also Harper's) is a monthly general-interest Magazine of literature politics culture finance and the arts The Atlantic (formerly known as The Atlantic Monthly) is an American Magazine founded in Boston in 1857 The Sunday Times is a Sunday Broadsheet Newspaper distributed in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. He was also a regular book reviewer for New York Times. A number of excerpts and stories from his books were used by Octopus Books and Readers' Digest Publishing, including in the Reader's Digest Condensed Books. Reader's Digest is a monthly general-interest family Magazine co-founded in 1922 by Lila Bell Wallace and DeWitt Wallace. Reader's Digest Condensed Books were a series of anthology books available by subscription and originally published quarterly (the frequency of publication went through several

Durrell's works have been translated into 31 languages, and made into TV serials, and feature films. He has a large cult following in Russia and Eastern Europe, in Israel and in various commonwealth countries, notably India. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Eastern Europe is a general term that refers to the Geopolitical region encompassing the easternmost part of the European continent. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

The British Library houses a collection of Durrell's books, presented by him to Alan G. Thomas, as part of the Lawrence Durrell Collection. The British Library ( BL) is the National library of the United Kingdom. Alan G Thomas, born on 19th October 1911 was a Bournemouth -based antiquarian bookseller (of Commin's Bookshop Bournemouth England Bibliophile and Lawrence The Lawrence Durrell Collection is a special collection of books and periodicals by about or associated with the novelist and poet Lawrence Durrell, donated to the British

Illustrators

Durrell was a talented artist and caricaturist, but worked with numerous illustrators over the years starting with Sabine Braur for The Overloaded Ark (published by Faber and Faber). Faber and Faber, often abbreviated to Faber, is an independent publishing house in the UK, notable in particular for publishing Two of his most productive collaborations were with Ralph Thompson (Bafut Beagles, Three Singles To Adventure, The New Noah, The Drunken Forest, Encounters with Animals, A Zoo in My Luggage, The Whispering Land, Menagerie Manor) (published by Rupert Hart-Davis) and Edward Mortelmans (Catch Me A Colobus, Beasts in My Belfry, Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons) (published by Collins). Ralph Thompson (born 1913 is a noted Artist and book Illustrator, who specializes in pen and ink sketches of animal subjects Sir Rupert Charles Hart-Davis ( 28 August 1907 – 8 December 1999) was a British Publisher, literary editor, Edward Mortelmans is a 20th century English Artist and Illustrator. The illustrations are mostly sketches of animal subjects. Ralph Thompson has even visited the Jersey Zoological Park in-house during the sketching period for Menagerie Manor. Ralph Thompson (born 1913 is a noted Artist and book Illustrator, who specializes in pen and ink sketches of animal subjects

Other illustrators who worked with Durrell were Barry L. Driscoll who illustrated Two in the Bush, Pat Marriott who illustrated Look at Zoos, and Anne Mieke van Ogtrop who illustrated The Talking Parcel and Donkey Rustlers.

Gerald Durrell authored a number of lavishly illustrated children's books in his later years. Graham Percy was the illustrator for The Fantastic Flying Journey and The Fantastic Dinosaur Adventure. Graham Percy ( June 7, 1938 &ndash January 4, 2008) was a noted illustrator of children's books Toby the Tortoise and Keeper were illustrated by Keith West. Keith West (born 6 December 1943, Dagenham, Essex, England as Keith Alan Hopkins was the lead singer of Tomorrow, a His Puppy board books were illustrated by Cliff Wright. Cliff Wright (born 1963 is an Artist, book Illustrator and advertising artist

Honours and legacy

Durrell was awarded the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1981. The Most Excellent Order of the Golden Ark was established by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1971 as an official order of the government of the Netherlands. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (29 June 1911 in Jena – 1 December 2004 in Utrecht) Prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld born HSH Count Bernhard Leopold Friedrich The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands

Durrell received the Order of the British Empire in 1982. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V.

The National Youth Music Theatre performed the musical theater The Carnival of the Animals at Fort Regent, Jersey as a tribute to Gerald Durrell in 1984. The London -based National Youth Music Theatre or NYMT is the United Kingdom 's organisation for young people in the field of Musical theatre Le Carnaval des Animaux ( The Carnival of the Animals) is a Musical suite of fourteen movements by the French

Durrell featured in the United Nations' Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement in 1988, becoming part of 500 people ("Global 500") to be given this honour in the period 1987 – 1992. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security

The University of Kent started the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) in 1989, the first graduate school in the United Kingdom to offer degrees and diplomas in conservation and biodiversity. The University of Kent is a plate glass campus University in Kent, England. The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE is a subdivision and research institute of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Kent, started in 1989 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

The journal Biodiversity and Conservation brought out a special volume of the journal in tribute to Gerald Durrell, on the theme of "The Role of Zoos" in 1995, following his death.

The Gerald Durrell Memorial Funds, launched in 1996, are granted in the field of conservation by the Wildlife Trust every year.

The statue park in Miskolc Zoo, created a bust of Gerald Durrell in 1998. The Miskolc Zoo is a Zoo in Miskolc, Hungary. Although its official name is Miskolc Városi Vadaspark – "Wildlife Park of Miskolc" Whipsnade Zoo also unveiled a new island for housing primates dedicated to Durrell in 1998. ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is a Zoo located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. [3]

The BBC Wildlife Photography Awards gives the Gerald Durrell Award for the best photograph of an endangered species, starting from 2001.

The Durrell School in Corfu, established in 2002, offers an academic course and tours in the footsteps of the Durrells in Corfu. Botanist David Bellamy has conducted field trips in Corfu for the School. David J Bellamy OBE (born 18 January 1933) is an English Botanist, Author, broadcaster, and environmental

The town hall of Corfu announced in 2006 that it would rename Corfu Bosketto (a park in the city of Corfu) Bosketto Durrell, after Gerald and Lawrence Durrell as a mark of respect. Corfu (Κέρκυρα Kérkyra, ˈkʲe̞ɾkʲiɾa Κέρκυρα or Κόρκυρα Corcyra Corfù is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea

Wildlife Preservation Canada established the Gerald Durrell Society in 2006 as recognition for individuals who have made legacy gifts.

The Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary in the Black River Valley in Mauritius, is the home of the Mauritius Wildlife Appeal Fund's immensely successful captive breeding program for the Mauritius Kestrel, Pink Pigeon and Echo Parakeet. The Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary is an Animal sanctuary founded in 1984 in Western Mauritius. Black River is a district of Mauritius on the western side of the island Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF is a non-governmental non-profit conservation agency working in Mauritius to save threatened endemic local flora and fauna The Mauritius Kestrel ( Falco punctatus) is a Bird of prey from the family Falconidae endemic to Mauritius. The Pink Pigeon, Columba (formerly Nesoenas mayeri, is a species of Columbidae (doves and pigeons endemic to Mauritius, and now very rare The Mauritius Parakeet ( Psittacula eques echo) also known as Echo Parakeet, is the sole survivor of the Psittacula species which

The Jersey Zoo has erected a bronze statue of Gerald Durrell by John Doubleday, cast along with a Ruffed Lemur at his knee, and a Round Island Gecko at his feet. Jersey Zoological Park or Jersey Zoo is a 25- Acre (100000 m² zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the John Doubleday (born 1947 is a British painter and sculptor famous for his public sculptures and statues The ruffed lemurs of the Genus Varecia are Strepsirhine Primates and the largest Extant Lemurs within the family

Jersey brought out stamps honouring the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, and Mauritius brought out a stamp based on a race of a rare gecko named after Durrell. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. Mauritius (pronounced məˈrɪʃəs L’île Maurice /il mɔ'ʁis/ Mauritian Creole: Maurice) officially the Republic of Mauritius, République

The de-rodentification of Rat Island in St. Lucia by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to create a sanctuary for the St. Saint Lucia (ˌseɪnt ˈluːʃɪə is an Island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from Extinction. Lucia Whiptail lizard on the lines of Praslin Island has caused an official change in name for Rat Island. It is in the process of being renamed Durrell Island. [1]

The Visitors' Center at the Belize Zoo is named the Gerald Durrell Visitors' Center in honour of Durrell.

Numerous individual animals of rare species born in captivity have been named "Gerry" or "Gerald" as homage to Durrell, among them the first Aldabra Giant Tortoise born in captivity. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise ( Geochelone gigantea) from the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, is one of the largest Tortoises in

Species and homages

Major expeditions

Year Place Primary purpose Book Film Species in focus
1947 / 1948 Mamfe, British Cameroon (now Cameroon) Independent animal collecting mission for British zoos The Overloaded Ark — Angwantibo, Giant Otter Shrew
1949 Mamfe and Bafut, British Cameroon (now Cameroon) Independent animal collecting mission for British zoos The Bafut Beagles — Galago, Hairy Frog, African Golden Cat, Flying mouse
1950 British Guiana (now Guyana) Independent animal collecting mission for British zoos Three Singles to Adventure — Giant Otter, Poison arrow frogs, Surinam Toad, Capybara, Brazilian Porcupine
1953 / 1954 Argentina and Paraguay Partially sponsored animal collecting mission The Drunken Forest — Burrowing Owl, Ovenbird, Anaconda, Rhea, Giant Anteater
1957 Bafut, British Cameroon (now Cameroon) Animal collecting mission for his own to-be zoo A Zoo in My Luggage To Bafut With Beagles Reticulated Python, Patas, Galago, Grey-necked Rockfowl
1958 Patagonia, Argentina Animal collecting mission for his own Jersey Zoo The Whispering Land Look (Argentinian Expedition) South American Fur Seal, Patagonian Hare, Vampire Bat, Magellanic Penguin
1962 Malaysia, and Australia and New Zealand Shooting of the BBC Nature series Two In The Bush Two in the Bush Two in the Bush Kakapo, Kākā, Kea, Tuatara, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Leadbeater's Possum
1965 Sierra Leone Animal collecting mission for Jersey Zoo to be made into a TV series by BBC Section of Catch Me A Colobus Catch Me A Colobus Colobus, African Leopard, Red River Hog, Potto
1968 Mexico Animal collecting mission for Jersey Zoo Section of Catch Me A Colobus — Volcano Rabbit, Thick-billed Parrot
1969 Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia Conservation fact-finding mission, with possible material for book never written — — Great Barrier Reef species
1976, 1977 Mauritius and other Mascarene Islands Two back-to-back in-situ conservation missions and animal collecting expeditions for local breeding and Jersey Zoo Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons The Mauritius Conservation Mission, The Round Island Project Pink Pigeon, Rodriguez Fruit Bat, Round Island Boa, Telfair's Skink, Gunther's Gecko, Mauritius Kestrel
1978 Assam, India and Bhutan In-situ conservation mission and filming for an episode in a BBC series — "Animals Are My Life" episode in The World About Us series Pigmy Hog
1982 Mauritius and other Mascarene Islands and Madagascar In-situ conservation mission and animal collecting expedition for local breeding and Jersey Zoo to be filmed for a BBC TV series about the Trust's role in other countries Ark on the Move Ark on the Move Pink Pigeon, Rodriguez Fruit Bat, Round Island Boa, Telfair's Skink, Gunther's Gecko, Mauritius Kestrel, Indri, Madagascan Boa
1984 Russia Shooting of the Channel 4 TV series Durrell in Russia Durrell in Russia Durrell in Russia Przewalski's Horse, Saiga, Cranes, Russian Desman
1989 Belize As part of Programme for Belize — a conservation project which aimed to conserve 250,000 acres (1000 km²) of tropical rain forest — — Belizean rain forest species
1990 Madagascar In-situ conservation mission and animal collecting expedition for local breeding and Jersey Zoo The Aye-Aye and I To the Island of Aye-Aye Aye Aye, Indri, Ring-tailed Lemur, Alaotran Lemur, Tenrec

Bibliography

1st edition cover of Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium
1st edition cover of Picnic and Suchlike Pandemonium
1st edition cover of Catch Me A Colobus
1st edition cover of Catch Me A Colobus
In his later life, Durrell wrote a number of beautifully illustrated books for children
In his later life, Durrell wrote a number of beautifully illustrated books for children

Autobiographical

Non-fiction

Fiction

Unpublished

Contributions

Books edited by Durrell

In case of simultaneous releases in many countries, the UK edition is referred to, except for companion books to TV series where both the UK and U. Random House Inc is the world's largest English-language general trade book publisher S. editions are referred to.

Reference books

Biographies and other references

Jersey Zoo and Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust books

Companion books to TV series not co-authored by Durrell

Books by family and friends

Selected articles

Radiography and filmography

VHS cover of the 1989 version of My Family and Other Animals
VHS cover of the 1989 version of My Family and Other Animals

Featuring the subject

On the subject

Books

Screenplays

Limericks

Durrell quoted numerous raunchy limericks in his Corfu Trilogy which have not been documented elsewhere, and it is probable that some of these owe their origins to Lawrence Durrell, Edward Lear and Theodore Stephanides. Jeremy Marre is a Television director, writer and producer who founded Harcourt Films and has worked extensively around the world Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began Green Umbrella Sport & Leisure Ltd was founded in 1990 as a producer of special interest videos in the United Kingdom. Green Umbrella Sport & Leisure Ltd was founded in 1990 as a producer of special interest videos in the United Kingdom. Green Umbrella Sport & Leisure Ltd was founded in 1990 as a producer of special interest videos in the United Kingdom. Green Umbrella Sport & Leisure Ltd was founded in 1990 as a producer of special interest videos in the United Kingdom. Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of BBC Four is a BBC Television channel available to digital television ( Freeview, IPTV, satellite and cable) viewers in the Animal Planet is an American Satellite and Cable Television channel (also broadcast via IPTV in the UK) launched on Cosgrove Hall Films is a British Animation studio based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England that is a major producer of children's Tarka the Otter: His Joyful Water-Life and Death in the Country of the Two Rivers is a Novel by Henry Williamson. A limerick is a five-line Poem with a strict form originally popularized in English by Edward Lear. Lawrence George Durrell ( February 27, 1912 &ndash November 7, 1990) was an expatriate British Novelist, Poet, Edward Lear ( 12 May 1812 – 29 January 1888) was an English Artist, Illustrator and Writer known Theodore Stephanides ( 1896 - 13 April 1983) was a Greek poet author doctor and naturalist Gerald Durrell is himself the subject of a few limericks written later. [5]

Time capsule

A time capsule buried at Jersey Zoo in 1988 contains the following popular quote by Durrell, often used in conservation awareness campaigns:

We hope that there will be fireflies and glow-worms at night to guide you and butterflies in hedges and forests to greet you. A time capsule is a historic cache of goods and/or information usually intended as a method of Communication with people in the future
We hope that your dawns will have an orchestra of bird song and that the sound of their wings and the opalescence of their colouring will dazzle you.
We hope that there will still be the extraordinary varieties of creatures sharing the land of the planet with you to enchant you and enrich your lives as they have done for us.
We hope that you will be grateful for having been born into such a magical world.

Footnotes

  1. ^ (Thomson 1998)
  2. ^ (McNiven 1998, pp.  79).
  3. ^ (Gruner 1998)
  4. ^ Cisneros-Heredia, D. F. (2007) A new species of glassfrog of the genus Centrolene from the foothills of Cordillera Oriental of Ecuador (Anura: Centrolenidae).. Herpetozoa, 20 (1/2), 27–34. (PDF available by clicking here)
  5. ^ see here

References

  1. Thomson, Ian (1998), "The man who thought he was too sexy for Britain", Evening Standard, London April 6
  2. McNiven, Ian S. The London Evening Standard is an English Tabloid regional local newspaper published and sold in London and surrounding areas of southeast (1998), Lawrence Durrell: A Biography, Faber and Faber, ISBN 0-571-17248-2
  3. Gruner, Peter (1998), "Haven for the demure lemur", Evening Standard, London May 15

External links

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