Press Kit. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

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1 Press Kit Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

2 DURRELL IS AN INTERNATIONAL CHARITY ON A MISSION TO SAVE SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION The great British writer and conservationist, Gerald Durrell, was a visionary, a pioneer and a man with a mission. He believed that good zoos could do great things in conservation, and more than 50 years ago he set out to prove it. Gerald founded Jersey Zoo in In 1963, it became a charitable trust and was renamed Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Through the Durrell Index, we are able to measure the effectiveness of our work and demonstrate our impact. We can show that of all the species whose chances of survival have improved in recent years, more than 12% owe their upgraded status to Durrell and its supporters. We are enormously proud of this. durrell.org/index PRESS CONTACTS Alexandra Shears Head of Marketing E alex.shears@durrell.org T +44 (0) Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Les Augrès Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands PHOTO CREDITS Quentin Bloxam, Luis Ortiz Catedral, Dr Nik Cole, Kay Collister, Michael Dvorak, Matt Goetz, G Guida, Andrew Kelly, Tiffany Lang, Matt Porteous, Chris Scarffe, Colin Stevenson and Charlie Wylie.

WHO WE ARE Patron HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal Honorary Director Lee Durrell, MBE, PhD Founder Gerald Malcolm Durrell, OBE Chief Executive

3 WHO WE ARE Patron HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal Honorary Director Lee Durrell, MBE, PhD Founder Gerald Malcolm Durrell, OBE Chief Executive Officer Dr Lesley Dickie Durrell s Army refers to everyone who helps Durrell carry out its mission from volunteers to donors and Academy graduates 3

4 WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE? We are the champions of all animals, including the little guys, the inconspicuous creatures that are just as crucial to the ecology of the planet as the more appealing ones. We speak up for the animals that other people forget. Our hands-on approach gets results. The close integration of the three main areas of our work - Field Programmes, Wildlife Park and Conservation Academy - leads to dramatic rescues of species on the brink of extinction. 4

5 Gerald Durrell with a tapir and Jersey calf in front of the Manor House Jersey Zoo, now Durrell Wildlife Park, was the first zoo created entirely to save threatened species from extinction 5

WHAT WE DO Durrell pursues its mission by concentrating on three areas of specialisation, all underpinned by robust science. These three interact with and reinforce each other.

6 WHAT WE DO Durrell pursues its mission by concentrating on three areas of specialisation, all underpinned by robust science. These three interact with and reinforce each other. Durrell Field Programmes Our field staff operates 50 projects in 18 countries around the world. We focus on islands, where unique species are under immense pressure, and on animal groups suffering the worst declines, such as primates and amphibians. 6

Durrell Wildlife Park The Park is home to more than 120 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, more than half of which are endangered in the wild.

Durrell Conservation Academy We provide training in Jersey and Mauritius, with outreach courses in other countries.

7 Durrell Wildlife Park The Park is home to more than 120 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, more than half of which are endangered in the wild. The Park provides a window into the wider conservation work that Durrell carries out around the globe. Durrell Conservation Academy We provide training in Jersey and Mauritius, with outreach courses in other countries. Our threemonth Graduate Certificate course in Jersey and our six-month Postgraduate course in Mauritius are training the next generation of conservation leaders. Durrell s silverback gorilla, Jambo, stood guard over an unconscious child that had fallen into the enclosure in

8 ANIMALS DURRELL IS HELPING Some Durrell projects have been running for decades, while others are more recent. We are involved in projects to ensure the survival of a number species this is a small selection Mauritius kestrel In 1974 only four Mauritius kestrels were known to exist in the wild, making it the world s rarest bird. Captive breeding and intensive management of wild birds over nearly 40 years have increased the wild population to several hundred. 8

Saint Lucia racer Durrell and its partners in St Lucia are on a mission to save the world s rarest snake.

skills gained with this similar species to help save the Saint Lucia racer.

Through a captive breeding programme set up in Madagascar in 1986, Durrell has bred and released more than 100 ploughshare

Once thought to be extinct, the 100th captive-bred animal will be released into the wild in 2016 thanks to a breeding and

9 Saint Lucia racer Durrell and its partners in St Lucia are on a mission to save the world s rarest snake. A captive breeding programme with the closely related Anguilla racer snake is underway, and Durrell hopes to transfer the skills gained with this similar species to help save the Saint Lucia racer. Ploughshare tortoise Due to illegal poaching, the ploughshare is the most threatened tortoise on the planet. Through a captive breeding programme set up in Madagascar in 1986, Durrell has bred and released more than 100 ploughshare tortoises into the wild. Pygmy hog The pygmy hog is the world s smallest and rarest pig. Once thought to be extinct, the 100th captive-bred animal will be released into the wild in 2016 thanks to a breeding and release programme in northeast India. Pink pigeon More than 30 years of captive breeding, releases and intensive management in the wild have increased the population of the pink pigeon in Mauritius from 16 to more than 400 wild birds. 9

ANIMALS DURRELL IS HELPING Mountain chicken frog One of the rarest frogs in the world, an estimated 99% of the global population has been lost in the last

Telfair s skink Nearly 40 years of captive breeding, intense habitat restoration and successful translocations have led to a major recovery of the Telfair

10 ANIMALS DURRELL IS HELPING Mountain chicken frog One of the rarest frogs in the world, an estimated 99% of the global population has been lost in the last 14 years. Durrell and its partners are undertaking pioneering research in the wild and in captivity to help bring them back from the brink of extinction. Telfair s skink Nearly 40 years of captive breeding, intense habitat restoration and successful translocations have led to a major recovery of the Telfair s skink in Mauritius. 10 No animal is ever bought or sold, reflecting the philosophy of the founder, Gerald Durrell, that endangered species are priceless

11 Pied tamarins One of the most endangered monkeys in the Amazon forest, the pied tamarin is being helped by Durrell through field conservation and breeding programmes. The population at the Wildlife Park in Jersey is one of the largest and most successful in the world. 11

12 WHERE WE WORK Durrell works in 18 countries, mainly in tropical regions, with an emphasis on islands. UK Anguilla Antigua Dominica Dominican Republic Haiti Montserrat St Lucia Caribbean Red-billed chough Jersey Colombia St Lucia racer Mountain chicken frog Galapagos Bolivia Brazil Floreana mockingbird Mangrove finch Black lion tamarin Pied tamarin 12

13 The current area of habitat under legal protection following efforts by Durrell is 402,893 hectares - equivalent to half a million football pitches Pygmy hog India Union of the Comoros Sumatran orangutan Indonesia Madagascar Mauritius Ploughshare tortoise Alaotran gentle lemur Madagascar pochard Telfair s skink Mauritius kestrel Pink pigeon 13

Carl Jones has overseen the recovery of the Mauritius kestrel and four other bird species of which the

14 ACHIEVEMENTS WE RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF Durrell was honoured to receive the inaugural conservation award from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Durrell s Chief Scientist Prof. Carl Jones has overseen the recovery of the Mauritius kestrel and four other bird species of which the population had dwindled to less than 12 individuals. He is the proud winner of the 2016 Indianapolis Prize. 14

In 1974 only four Mauritius kestrels were known to exist in the wild, but thanks

Island Bat Roost at the Wildlife Park is an award-winning eco-enclosure that is

Extinct in Jersey a century ago, there are now more than 20 redbilled choughs

masterminded by Durrell s Bird Department, begun in 2013.

15 In 1974 only four Mauritius kestrels were known to exist in the wild, but thanks to Durrell s intervention, the population is in the hundreds today. Island Bat Roost at the Wildlife Park is an award-winning eco-enclosure that is made entirely of recycled materials. Extinct in Jersey a century ago, there are now more than 20 redbilled choughs flying around the island s north coast, thanks to a release programme, masterminded by Durrell s Bird Department, begun in The Durrell Index shows that of all the species whose chances of survival have improved in recent years, more than 12% owe their upgraded status to Durrell and its supporters. 15

16 ACHIEVEMENTS WE RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF In 2015 Durrell led the identification and creation of three new protected wetland areas in Madagascar, to be managed by local communities. 16

He depends on the lake for his livelihood, but it s under threat, which has a devastating impact on him and his family.

17 In the spotlight Madagascar Meet Rabenjakasoa. He is a village chief, a fisherman and the leader of a Durrell Community Patrol. He lives on the west coast of Madagascar s Lac Alaotra and works tirelessly to protect the lake and the animals that live there. He depends on the lake for his livelihood, but it s under threat, which has a devastating impact on him and his family. Durrell intends to expand the patrols at the lake and elsewhere, protecting even more of Madagascar s extraordinary wildlife, people and habitats. The Alaotran gentle lemur is one of the rarest primates on earth. It is only found in the reed beds surrounding Lac Alaotra in Madagascar. Deforestation and agricultural expansion are destroying this critically endangered species habitat. Durrell Community Patrols are protecting the remaining marsh this unique animal s only home. 17

18 SOLUTIONS WE INVEST IN Conservation Science Durrell conducts scientific research to understand each conservation problem. We then design and test management actions that make a difference on the ground. This ensures that all our conservation decisions are based on the best evidence available. The Durrell Index is our flagship tool for measuring our conservation actions and impacts on the endangered species and habitats that we protect. durrell.org/index Captive breeding Some endangered species bred at the Wildlife Park, like the mountain chicken frog, are returned to their home countries for release to the wild. Others are closely studied to discover the optimal conditions in which they can express natural behaviours. This information is used by Durrell s field teams to enhance their understanding of the species in the wild and the threats they face. 18

Management and restoration of wild populations and habitats Durrell has over 60 staff working in the field to study, protect and restore focal species.

19 Management and restoration of wild populations and habitats Durrell has over 60 staff working in the field to study, protect and restore focal species. We work with local partners in 18 countries to identify the main causes of a species decline, identify options to reduce these threats and develop long-term restoration plans. Restoring a species takes decades and habitats even longer. We have a track record of more than 30 years of dedicated conservation in our field sites, where our projects support a wide range of broader activities leading to whole ecosystem restoration. Round Island, Mauritius. 19

SOLUTIONS WE INVEST IN Empowering and training local communities In Madagascar over 75% of people live in rural areas and are below the international poverty line.

20 SOLUTIONS WE INVEST IN Empowering and training local communities In Madagascar over 75% of people live in rural areas and are below the international poverty line. Here conservation means both protecting wildlife and helping these communities find solutions to improve their wellbeing, thus reducing pressures on their surrounding environment. We work with over 170 communities across the country to set up locally-run habitat protection, rural development and sustainable natural resource use. For communities this has led to far greater access to primary education, improved farming practice, access to clean water, improved sanitation and reduction in the incidence of water-borne disease. For wildlife this has meant a reduction in pressures and greater protection. A community festival in Madagascar. 20

21 Training and Education To date, more than 4,100 individuals from 137 countries have participated in Durrell courses and workshops, both in Jersey and around the world. After returning to their home countries, Durrell graduates are supported by the Durrell Learning Network. Durrell also delivers training programmes where they are most needed, for example, running primate husbandry courses in Brazil and Colombia. Moreover, our overseas training campus in Mauritius delivers practical, hands-on training in species recovery. Durrell has changed my life as a biologist by providing me with the skills and passion to work in conservation. Arturo Muñoz Founder Bolivian Amphibian Initiative 21

22 DURRELL S STRUCTURE It costs over 8 million to run Durrell every year. Durrell is a charity. We rely on donations from commercial revenues, fundraising activities and the generosity of supporters. The Trust is governed by the Board of Trustees. The Chief Executive is responsible for day to day management of the Trust, supported by the Senior Management Team. Number of employed staff 160 Age of organisation (in 2016) Wildlife Park: 57 (opened in 1959) Charitable Trust: 53 (founded in 1963) Conservation Academy: 38 (first student in 1978) Madagascar Field Programme: 30 (first field site in 1986) UK Office: 3 (opened in 2013) 22

DURRELL S AMBASSADORS Henry Cavill became Durrell s Ambassador in 2014.

I m enormously proud to be part of a team that makes such a huge positive impact on the world.

23 DURRELL S AMBASSADORS Henry Cavill became Durrell s Ambassador in Born in Jersey, he spent many happy hours at Durrell Wildlife Park as a child. I m enormously proud to be part of a team that makes such a huge positive impact on the world. Durrell is an organisation with a mission I can really get behind. Milo Parker became Durrell s Ambassador in 2016, after playing a young Gerald Durrell in the hit ITV series The Durrells. It s a massive honour for me to join the Durrell family as their new Ambassador. I m truly humbled to have the opportunity to contribute in my small way. 23

24 AS SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH SAID I do assure you, the world needs Durrell

Press Kit. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Press Kit. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Press Kit Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Durrell is an international charity on a mission to save species from extinction. The great British writer and conservationist, Gerald Durrell, was a visionary,