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Jersey Zoo
Jersey Zoo (formerly Durrell Wildlife Park) is a zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the English Channel by naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell. It is operated by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. In 2023, the zoo welcomed 209,474 visitors, its highest number in four years.
Jersey Zoo has always concentrated on rare and endangered species. It houses mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, comprising over 130 species. In 2025, Niall Husbands was appointed Chair of the Trust, succeeding Matthew Hatchwell.
The park is located at Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey, 5 miles (8 km) north of Saint Helier. It officially opened on 26 March 1959.
The park is situated in 32 acres (13 ha) of landscaped parkland and water-gardens. The Trust has a commitment to looking after the Island's native wildlife, and large areas within the grounds have been designated native habitat areas. The planting of flowering and fruiting trees throughout the grounds also serves to attract wild birds and insects.[citation needed] Included in the former are several species of bird which used to be commonly seen in island gardens but have become increasingly scarce, including the house sparrow and song thrush.[citation needed]
There are over 50 nest-boxes positioned around the grounds, which are used by a variety of birds including barn owls, kestrels, swallows and house martins. Other animals which are commonly seen within the grounds are the red squirrel, bank vole, and the short-toed treecreeper.[citation needed]
Gerald Durrell began his career capturing animals for other zoos, but thought that the facilities needed to concentrate more on animal conservation rather than mere entertainment. He started the zoo in 1959. Durrell tells the story of starting the zoo in his book Menagerie Manor and others.[citation needed]
In January 2008 plans known as "New Vision" were unveiled for the future of the zoo. These plans had an emphasis on the notion of "TopSpots"; places where the greatest diversity of animals are found such as islands and highlands. The plan included projects including African Bai, an environment mirroring the ecology of the African habitat that the western lowland gorillas would need to adapt to if one day it would be safe for them to be left alone in the wild; Mascarenia, to the mammals, birds and terrapins of Madagascar, Mauritius and islands of the western Indian Ocean; and eco-lodge cabins for visitors to stay in.[citation needed]
It was budgeted that the cost of the redevelopment would be in the region of £46 million (equivalent to £66,000,000 in 2023) over the next five years. All funds needed to be raised through public and private donations. But most of the plan was eventually cancelled due to costs.[citation needed]
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Jersey Zoo
Jersey Zoo (formerly Durrell Wildlife Park) is a zoological park established in 1959 on the island of Jersey in the English Channel by naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell. It is operated by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. In 2023, the zoo welcomed 209,474 visitors, its highest number in four years.
Jersey Zoo has always concentrated on rare and endangered species. It houses mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, comprising over 130 species. In 2025, Niall Husbands was appointed Chair of the Trust, succeeding Matthew Hatchwell.
The park is located at Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey, 5 miles (8 km) north of Saint Helier. It officially opened on 26 March 1959.
The park is situated in 32 acres (13 ha) of landscaped parkland and water-gardens. The Trust has a commitment to looking after the Island's native wildlife, and large areas within the grounds have been designated native habitat areas. The planting of flowering and fruiting trees throughout the grounds also serves to attract wild birds and insects.[citation needed] Included in the former are several species of bird which used to be commonly seen in island gardens but have become increasingly scarce, including the house sparrow and song thrush.[citation needed]
There are over 50 nest-boxes positioned around the grounds, which are used by a variety of birds including barn owls, kestrels, swallows and house martins. Other animals which are commonly seen within the grounds are the red squirrel, bank vole, and the short-toed treecreeper.[citation needed]
Gerald Durrell began his career capturing animals for other zoos, but thought that the facilities needed to concentrate more on animal conservation rather than mere entertainment. He started the zoo in 1959. Durrell tells the story of starting the zoo in his book Menagerie Manor and others.[citation needed]
In January 2008 plans known as "New Vision" were unveiled for the future of the zoo. These plans had an emphasis on the notion of "TopSpots"; places where the greatest diversity of animals are found such as islands and highlands. The plan included projects including African Bai, an environment mirroring the ecology of the African habitat that the western lowland gorillas would need to adapt to if one day it would be safe for them to be left alone in the wild; Mascarenia, to the mammals, birds and terrapins of Madagascar, Mauritius and islands of the western Indian Ocean; and eco-lodge cabins for visitors to stay in.[citation needed]
It was budgeted that the cost of the redevelopment would be in the region of £46 million (equivalent to £66,000,000 in 2023) over the next five years. All funds needed to be raised through public and private donations. But most of the plan was eventually cancelled due to costs.[citation needed]