Gerald Durrell’s Centenary: a year of celebrations starts today

Today, Tuesday 7th January 2025, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating what would have been the 100th birthday of its founder, the world-renowned author and naturalist Gerald Durrell.

To mark the momentous occasion, surrounded by close friends and special guests, Lee Durrell, widow of Gerald, unveiled a plaque at the Manor House where the conservationist famously lived within the grounds of Jersey Zoo.

The plaque, located on the south side of the Manor House, contains the following words:

Gerald Durrell 1925 – 1995

Celebrated writer, naturalist and conservation visionary, Gerald Durrell lived here at Les Augrès Manor from 1959 until 1995. Born in India, he spent his formative years in Corfu, which inspired his lifelong mission to save species from extinction. He founded Jersey Zoo in 1959 and a charitable trust in 1963. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is respected throughout the world as a pioneer in wildlife and habitat conservation. Behind you lie Gerald’s ashes under the stone of Jersey granite.

“GD100”

Durrell’s 2025 calendar is packed full of celebrations to honour the legacy of their founder and share the impact the charity has today on saving threatened species, protecting their habitats and supporting local communities.

From a challenging trek in India to visit the Trust’s endangered pygmy hog breeding and release programme, to a showstopping gala ball, fun-filled family events and a stunning art installation here at Jersey Zoo, there will be something for everyone to get involved in to celebrate 100 years of Gerald Durrell. Lee Durrell will also be doing a book signing of Gerald Durrell’s posthumous book, Myself and Other Animals, on Sunday 12th January from 11am–1pm at Jersey Zoo’s gift shop.

About Gerald Durrell

Gerald Durrell was a champion of all animals, especially those under threat and overlooked.

Born in India in 1925, Gerald Durrell spent much of his childhood in Corfu, a magical time described in his much-loved book 'My Family and Other Animals'. It was these formative years that truly ignited his fascination with animals and love of the natural world. The boy naturalist started working with zoos and thrilled readers with his true-life adventures in many popular books. During his travels he became increasingly concerned about the problems facing wildlife everywhere, and he began to pioneer the concept of zoo-led conservation.

Through his writing, Gerald generated sufficient income to create his own zoo, with a clear mission of saving species from extinction. This four-word mission statement still remains today. He opened Jersey Zoo in 1959 and in 1963 established a charitable trust to oversee the zoo and carry out conservation work worldwide. Gerald Durrell passed away in 1995, and a few years later the trust was named Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to honour his significant and enduring contribution to conservation.