Wild Life 2020 volume 2

WILD L IFE

2020 ISSUE 2

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WELCOME

WE LCO M E TO WI LD L IF E It is with much pleasure and pride that we launch this autumn the Carl Jones Scholarship, which we hope will inspire all our supporters and friends in what has been a very difficult year for everyone. Its purpose is to honour the man credited with saving more species than anyone else, our Chief Scientist, Prof Carl Jones, and to nurture conservationists early in their careers to follow in his footsteps.

Self-styled as a ‘disciple’ of Gerald Durrell, Carl has been an integral member of the Durrell family for more than 40 years, ever since Gerry and the Trust backed him to fight for a ‘lost cause’ – saving the Mauritius kestrel. With only four individuals left in the world, this little bird was on the very brink of extinction, and some conservationists of the day said that to help it would be a waste of time. Today the kestrel and many other species that were in the same predicament are actually thriving, thanks to Carl’s vision, skills and tenacity.

These are the attributes we seek to develop in every student who attends Durrell Conservation Academy, and the Carl Jones Scholar will be expected to hone them until they shine! You can read more about Carl and the Scholarship in this issue of Wild Life and find out what you can do to help.

We hope you will also enjoy all the updates from the zoo and the field, especially our dramatic rescue of reptiles in Mauritius from the devastating effects of the wreck of the oil tanker last August. We are also unveiling an exciting new initiative, Rewild Carbon, which is our contribution to the global effort to combat climate change.

D R LEE D UR R E LL HONORARY DIRE CT O R

In spite of pressures and restrictions caused by the covid pandemic, the Trust is able to carry on Durrell’s vital conservation mission thanks to your encouragement and assistance, and, as always, we are truly grateful.

CON TE NTS 2

HOPE FOR THE PL ANET

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AT THE ZOO

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IN THE WILD

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PRIMATES IN PERIL

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MEET THE BIRDMAN

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INVESTING IN THE CONSERVATIONISTS OF TOMORR OW

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MEET THE TEAM – CHRIS RANSOM

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DODO DISPATCH – WHAT IS A REPTILE?

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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT – MASCARENE MARVELS

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TECH CORNER – CAMERA TRAPS

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REWILD CARBON

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EMER GENCY REPTILE RESCUE

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BE INSPIRED

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IN NUMBERS – CARL JONES

D U R R E L L WILDLIF E CO N SERVATION TR UST is a Registered Charity with the Jersey Charity Commissioner, registered charity number: 1 PATR O N HRH The Princess Royal FOUND ER Gerald Durrell, OBE, LHD HONORA RY D IRE CT OR Dr Lee Durrell, MBE, PhD

It is important to us that we keep you informed about our work, and the difference we are making to the many species, habitats and local communities with which we work.

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P H O TO A N D ILLUST RAT IO N CR ED ITS Agence France-Presse, bamperspectives.com, Laura Bennet, Will Bertram, Emma Caton, Center for International Forestry Research, Dr Nik Cole, Nelly Craven, Parag Deka, Catherine Franscon, Katie Garrett, Finella Gray, Kevin Harwood, Rebecca Hewlett, Jon Hornbuckle, Rachel Hughes, Craig Jones, Tiffany Lang, S.R. Marak, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Jess Maxwell, maysentertainment.com, Kat Mullin, Nina Powell, Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme project team, Colin Stevenson, thestudiom.com, Melvin Toullec, Charlie Wylie, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

C O V E R I MA G E Mauritius kestrel, Fi Marchant ER R ATA Wild Life vol.1 2020, Species spotlight main image Iñaki Relanzon

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HOPE F O R TH E P L ANE T D R L ESL EY D ICKIE C HI EF EX EC UT I V E O FFI C ER

2020 has been a worrying time, with many people sadly facing family losses and uncertainty around livelihoods. The future remains a wishful horizon, where we think about being able to travel, have parties, see our loved ones with freedom, and many other activities we took for granted. At the same time, the challenges to the natural world are becoming ever more apparent. Biodiversity loss and climate change are still out of control, with the actions of some political leaders, courting populist policies, making nature more vulnerable still. It seems incredible that this is happening while we become more attuned to the very real risks to our health and wellbeing due to the loss of nature, jeopardising our future. It would be understandable to be pessimistic. However, if there ever was a time to be an optimist, it’s now.

Optimism is an incredible power.

In study after study, people who identify as optimists tend to be happier, healthier, and have lower mortality rates, living longer on average.

Optimists tend to be better at handling setbacks and making progress in their lives and professions. Optimists possess resilience in the face of adversity.

Why am I, the CEO of Durrell, writing specifically about optimism you may ask? Think about what my team at Durrell and I, as conservationists, see and hear every day in detail, far more than the general public reads in newspapers or watches in documentaries. Forest loss by chainsaw or fire, wildlife disappearing, watching the last of a species die as at least one of my colleagues has done. Conservation is an uphill battle fighting against forces that are damaging our one and only home. If we are honest, while we are winning small battles, it is apparent that we are currently losing the war. Why are we not sitting with our heads in our hands, worn down by the burden of our efforts not fixing every problem? Well, it’s because we are optimists. I say that not as my opinion, but from a peer-reviewed, published study, which demonstrates that conservationists are “dispositional optimists” at a far greater level than the general public.

It’s hard to know whether conservation draws optimists to its folds or whether working in conservation makes you more optimistic. But optimism does abound because it must. It has to keep going in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It has to keep going when it seems all is lost. It has to because, well, what else? We have many people at Durrell who embody optimism, and none more so than Professor Carl Jones, our Chief Scientist. Recently we launched the Carl Jones Scholarship, a new programme to help young conservationists

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get the training they need to become the conservationists we know they can be. As part of that training, they will learn technical and practical skills to enable them to undertake key biodiversity projects around the world. We believe, though, that they will also amplify their optimism by working with people who embody a can-do spirit. This resilience may be the most precious part of the learning process.

I wrote above that we are currently losing the war, but optimists have a key skill of looking to where progress can be made and not losing sight that change can happen. Recently a scientific paper was published that looked at all avoided extinctions in birds and mammals since 1993. Of all these efforts to save wildlife, Durrell was the lead organisation or a key part of the project in an incredible 18% of these avoided extinctions. Let’s put that in context. There are thousands of different organisations worldwide, big and small, carrying out conservation. However, the fact that our small organisation can deliver impact far beyond what our scale would suggest is something of which we can be rightfully proud. I fervently believe that part of our success is the overriding optimism that is part of the psyche of Durrell. Our belief that we can make things better, even in the face of challenge. Our belief that we have the skills and expertise that can be applied to this problem of biodiversity loss and climate change. Our inherent optimism is bolstered by the optimism generated by winning our battles. It’s a virtuous circle. I wrote that we are currently losing the war. “Currently” being the keyword.

Our optimism means that we believe things can change, that problems can be overturned, that we can win the war, however difficult it is at present.

The lesson we can take from the past few months is that big problems can be faced down. I write this as news has broken of the Pfizer vaccine and 90% efficacy. More vaccines for COVID-19 will be ready soon. This is a stunning and magnificent demonstration of the power of science, the ingenuity of humanity, and the collective effort that has been assembled to deal with the pandemic. Optimism means finding the solutions.

It means being undaunted by having the odds against us. That’s what conservation needs. So, I hope that you, as part of the Durrell family, are also optimists for our future and continue to be optimists because the world needs this to take action.

As for me? I did the survey attached to the scientific study on optimism mentioned above. It seems I am a super optimist.

Gratifying, but then again, I was always optimistic that the survey would show that.

CLOCKWI S E FR O M AB O V E Madagascar pochard, black lion tamarin, pygmy hog, northern bald ibis, golden lion tamarin.

A study led by Newcastle University and BirdLife International has shown that conservation action has prevented the global extinction of up to 48 species of bird and mammal since 1993. Out of the 60 highly threatened species that were considered in the analysis, Durrell has led programmes or played a significant role in the conservation effort for 11 of them – the equivalent of 18%. These species include the pygmy hog, echo parakeet, pink pigeon, Rodrigues warbler, Madagascar pochard, mangrove finch, and black lion tamarin. Species for which Durrell has contributed major support, such as captive breeding, extensive training or long-term technical advice, include the golden lion tamarin, Seychelles magpie-robin, northern bald ibis, and Bali starling.

NEWS

AT THE Z OO A NEW ARRIVAL At the end of June, a beautiful pied tamarin was born at the zoo.

Both mother and youngster are doing very well. Although this was a single baby, tamarins typically give birth to twins, which is unusual in the primate world. They live in families, and everyone takes turns to carry the infants on their backs. The tiny babies, weighing only 50 grams, can hold on tight as soon as they are born, clinging on as the family forages and moves through the forest.

Pied tamarins live only in the forests of central Amazonia, around the city of Manaus. Manaus is expanding and eating into the tamarin’s forests, while pressure on the Amazon region has increased with uncontrolled fires and deforestation for cattle ranching and soybean cultivation for the export market. The birth of this infant is very important for the conservation assurance population that Durrell coordinates in Europe for this critically endangered species. Pied tamarins are challenging to keep happy and healthy in captivity, but Durrell has specialised in their care for many years and trained Brazilian conservationists in the techniques, developed at Jersey Zoo, to work with these sensitive creatures.

BIR THDAY CELEBRATIONS On 15th November, the team celebrated the first birthday of Amari, the adorable baby gorilla born to Bahasha and silverback Badongo. Bahasha has been a fantastic first-time mum and has been very protective of her little infant. Early this year, after the keepers discovered the youngster was a girl, members of the public were invited to get involved with naming her. Over 5,000 people voted for their favourite Swahili name out of four that were chosen by the keepers. The name with the highest number of votes was “Amari”, which comes from a word meaning “strength” in Swahili. Amari is becoming more and more active as she explores her surroundings and is a very playful little gorilla.

She is learning by copying her mum and has even started to steal Bahasha’s food, which she isn’t always too pleased about. The keepers are delighted that Amari has started piggybacking on her mum’s back, which is how young gorillas often travel around.

RAISING A BABY AYE-AYE The dedicated mammal keepers have done a fantastic job handrearing Mifaly, the baby aye-aye. In May, shortly after Mifaly was born, the keepers made the difficult decision to hand-rear the youngster following concerns that mum Zanvie wasn’t caring for her properly. When Mifaly was born, she weighed a tiny 65g, one of the smallest aye-ayes on record. Now she weighs over 1kg!

The keepers are still feeding milk to Mifaly, and she is slowly being introduced to solid food such as fruit, vegetables and insects. She has now met her dad, Pan, and is gradually spending more time with him. She has a separate enclosure inside Pan’s house, and they like to sniff and watch what the other is doing through the mesh. When Mifaly is a little older and bigger, the keepers will mix them properly. The team are already looking forward to watching them play together!

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NEWS

A CUNNING DISGUISE Bird keepers at the zoo have been hand-rearing a Javan green magpie... using a sock puppet!

Following concerns that the parents weren’t properly looking after their chick, the keepers made the tough decision to hand-rear this precious youngster to ensure its survival. Javan green magpies are highly intelligent and the keepers wanted to avoid the chick becoming too attached to people. To get around this issue, they fed the bird using a Blue Peter style sock puppet that had similar colour patterns and markings to the adult magpies.

As Javan green magpies can also recognise facial expressions, the dedicated keepers also wore a green balaclava and hoodie to fully disguise themselves during feeding times.

MINGLING WITH THE FL AMINGOS This summer, the new flamingo walkway opened to the public, allowing visitors to come and enjoy a close encounter with the zoo’s beautiful Chilean flamingos. The newly refurbished walkway will give better access for visitors to immerse themselves with the fabulous flock of over 70.

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NEWS

I N TH E W I L D PIGS IN LOCKDOWN The pygmy hogs in the captive breeding centres in Assam are in lockdown, not from COVID-19, but an outbreak of African Swine Fever. This highly contagious viral disease has already killed approximately 20,000 domestic pigs in India, and a vaccine could be up to three years away.

Pygmy hogs are the world’s smallest and rarest pig, and there are worries that infection could wipe out the entire population. To ensure the safety of the hogs, the team have been working hard to establish biosecurity measures, including changing the animals’ diet to exclude vegetables grown in the ground as the virus survives longer in soil.

Controlled zones put in place at breeding centres

Storing additional bedding, known as “thatch”, grown before the virus outbreak

Sanitising the hogs’ bedding materials

FR OGS IN THE FOREST Even though half of all amphibians are thought to be at risk of extinction, many are still poorly known to science. Kat Mullin, a PhD researcher at Cardiff University working in partnership with Durrell, has been exploring the isolated rainforest of Ambohitantely in Madagascar. The forest has hundreds of small fragments that serve as the last refuge for numerous amphibian species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

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Kat has been studying two highly threatened frog species, Anodonthyla vallani and Anilany helenae. These frogs still persist in the forests of Ambohitantely, but little information is available to inform the conservation of these rare species. Kat will be collecting DNA samples from the frogs and using cutting-edge genetic tools to investigate the effects of habitat fragmentation on amphibians in Madagascar.

TRACKING WHITE STORKS Young white storks have taken to the skies once again over the Knepp Estate in West Sussex.

This summer, 19 captive-bred juvenile storks from Cotswold Wildlife Park were released at the rewilding site to help form a migratory population. This is the second release of this kind at Knepp, with the first taking place in 2019 with 24 juvenile storks. These releases are part of the White Stork Project, which aims to restore a population of storks in Southern England.

Several of these young storks have been fitted with GPS trackers so that scientists at Durrell and the University of East Anglia can monitor their movements. These tracking devices will help the team to better understand the migratory behaviour of the reintroduced storks. The trackers have shown that two storks migrated south soon after the release this year and managed to reach Morocco.

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Primates in Peril

TH E ATL A N TI C F OR E S T O F B R A Z IL IS O N E OF TH E M OST B I OD IVE R S E H A B ITAT S O N TH E PL A N E T . M A N Y R A R E A N IM A L S A N D PL A N TS L I V E I N THI S E X T R A O R DIN A R ILY L U S H RA IN FO R E ST , I N C L U DIN G T H E E N DA N G E R E D BL A C K L I ON TA M A R IN .

Durrell has been working with the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas to save these precious primates for more than 30 years. Tragically, their home is being rapidly destroyed to make way for towns and intensive farmland, which has caused the dramatic decline of the forest’s native wildlife. Jersey Zoo is currently the only place outside of Brazil to house black lion tamarins to ensure they do not become lost forever.

TO F IND OUT MORE A N D S UP P O R T O UR W O R K TO RESTORE THE ATL A N TIC FO R E S T , V IS IT WWW.D URREL L. OR G/ATL A N TIC

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MEET THE BIRDMAN

LEE D URREL L, H O N O R A RY D IR E CTO R , IN TE RV I EW S C ARL JONES AB O UT H IS FR IE N D S H IP W ITH G ER A L D D URRELL AND H IS W O R K W ITH TH E TR US T O V ER FOUR D EC AD ES

What was your childhood like?

I was always animal obsessed; I loved nature, and spent my time poking around in hedges and along the riverbank. In primary school we had nature study lessons and a nature table with old nests, hatched eggshells, bones, snails and jam jars containing bugs and tadpoles. I still remember those lessons and I became a collector of natural objects, skulls, fossils and shells. I kept pet animals, starting with chickens, rabbits and pigeons, then progressed to keeping rescued wild animals. I reared fox cubs and badgers, frogs and pheasants, hawks and herons.

For a while, I had so many animals that our back yard was full of cages and aviaries, and I had to play truant from school to look after them. These were formative times and I learnt how to keep a range of species, and bred slow-worms, kestrels, polecats and owls. It was as a schoolboy that I learnt the skills I used to help save some of the world’s rarest animals.

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Describe your first meeting with Gerald Durrell.

I first met Gerald Durrell in 1980. I had been in Mauritius for a year and a half and Jersey Zoo already had some Mauritian animals. At the time, I was working for another organisation and had been corresponding with people at Durrell. On my first trip back to the UK, I came across to Jersey to discuss the work I had been doing and how we could work more closely. Gerry was warm, hospitable and very amusing; I was captivated by his command of language and his irreverent humour. He described situations and people with penetrating wit, picking up on nuances and subtleties that left me astounded by the lucidity of his perceptions.

At the time, the conservation situation in Mauritius was dire with many species about to disappear, and strong personalities and complex politics made the work difficult. Many felt that the approaches we were adopting to save the species were inappropriate. I was being overwhelmed by the conflict and I discussed this with Gerry. He listened attentively, and after I had finished telling him of the challenges, he said there was no quick fix, and that he would have to sleep on the issues and tell me the following day what he thought. By the next morning he had sketched out a plan for how to move forward, with several solutions and the promise that he and the Trust would help with the work and how to negotiate the various complexities. I embraced Gerry’s ideas and together, with the rest of the Durrell team, you, John Hartley, Jeremy Mallinson, Simon Hicks and others, we developed our work in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

You often say that you are a disciple of Gerald Durrell. What was it about him and his work that inspired you during the nearly 20 years you knew him?

In common with many, I was inspired and enthralled by Gerry’s books. He described nature so beautifully and I loved the way he interacted with animals and entered their lives. He described a world that I could glimpse and wanted to inhabit. Gerry lived closely with his animals, he took time to understand them and was very intuitive. To truly understand animals, you need that type of intimacy and then you can achieve a depth of understanding often impossible to reach with wild animals. He taught me that complex problems were solvable, but take time; you have to immerse yourself in the issues and then stand back to see them with clarity.

How important was it to you to have a mentor such as Gerry? Is having a mentor important for all young conservationists today?

Gerry was a huge influence. To this day I hear him whispering into my ear, sometimes telling me to stand back and give the situation some thought, or on other occasions to rely on my instincts and be bold. He encouraged us to use captive breeding and also to apply those skills to managing free-living populations. I have always been influenced by Gerry’s ideas, but also by his restless questioning and always striving to improve.

Conservation is rarely straight-forward. For most of the time I had to live with conflict and cope with naysayers. It was always good to know that I had Gerry’s support and I could bounce ideas off him. He would always be most encouraging, and after a long and constructive discussion about a particularly toxic situation, he reassured me, “don’t let the b*stards grind you down; I am always here to help”.

Having experienced mentors to guide you is the most efficient way for young conservationists to learn how to wend their way through the complexities of frontline conservation. In addition to Gerry, I also had the wisdom of others to call upon and I must acknowledge the help of Tom Cade, The Peregrine Fund, and Don Merton, Department of Conservation, New Zealand, who advised on a range of technical conservation issues.

One of the reasons Durrell has been so successful in conserving so many species is that we mentor the people and projects we work with over many years. This is however, a reciprocal process and we also learn a huge amount in return.

Gerald Durrell had a specific way of undertaking his mission – saving species from extinction – which is still the mission of the Trust today. Does your approach now differ from Gerry’s and if so, how has it changed?

Gerald Durrell was a restless visionary who was always developing and growing his ideas. He instilled in us the difference we could make, and to always push the boundaries. Gerry is often portrayed as a champion of captive breeding; he was very much more than that. In the 1980s, he was thinking beyond the cages and wanted to know how to work effectively in the countries where the endangered species were found. He recognised that one of the answers to conservation was to empower people and develop local capacity by training their conservation biologists, and he saw species as the drivers for rebuilding their habitats. Gerry was always thinking of how to restore species within their habitats, and in his writings, he implicitly celebrates how important nature is for our well-being.

You have visited many countries, but have worked mostly in Mauritius. What is special about Mauritius?

I went to Mauritius for only one or possibly two years and it was made clear to me that I would be handing the project over to local biologists. My employers at the time felt that the situation was so desperate, they questioned the wisdom of investing in such rare species. I knew that my Mauritian colleagues did not have the resources or expertise to effectively manage the animals that meant so much to me. I soon realised that to have any chance of succeeding I would need to stay for several years. This was my greatest dream, and it was Durrell that allowed me to do it.

I was lucky that in Mauritius I was given a lot of freedom to tinker with the species and systems I was involved with. I enjoyed getting to know them, and the more I learnt, the more intense and amazing the relationship with them became. As soon as we started to be successful with one species, there was always another that needed help. As the species work gained momentum, it started to drive the restoration and rebuilding of habitats.

The whole process engulfed my life and I could not think of anything else but the next step to restoring the damaged and lost systems. I love Mauritius, an island of dynamic colour and variety that tugs at my emotions. The country, people and wildlife will always be a huge part of my life.

We have taken Gerry’s views, developed some, tweaked and modified others, and packaged them in our strategy, Rewild Our World. While we are a speciesfocused organisation, we are showing the world how long-term commitment to species can drive the restoration of whole ecosystems. Gerry would be deservedly proud of how we have all made his legacy grow and blossom.

How did you feel about winning the Nobel Prize of animal conservation – the Indianapolis Prize – in 2016?

It was my colleagues at Durrell that put me forward for the prize. When they were compiling the submission, I suggested that they were wasting their efforts since the previous winners had all worked on high profile species; elephants, cranes, pandas, lemurs and polar bears. I thought, what chance do I have working on pink pigeons and lesser night geckos? I was in Mauritius when I heard that I had won. I had a phone call late one evening and the news was a huge and very pleasant surprise. A wave of emotion engulfed me and my head filled with visions of the project highs and lows of the previous decades, but most of all I thought of all those colleagues, volunteers, interns and students from all over the world who had made our work possible.

ANTI -C LO C K WI SE FR O M TO P LEFT Carl with a Mauritius kestrel. Gerald Durrell and Carl in Mauritius. Carl holding a pink pigeon squab.

Carl hand-rearing Mauritius kestrel chicks. Carl on Round Island, Mauritius. Carl on Round Island holding a white-tailed tropicbird.

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we can protect and restore, we must.

However, in a rapidly changing and dynamic world, protectionist approaches are not enough; if we had embraced these, most of the species we work with would have died out. In damaged and modified systems, you have to help the failing populations, and here, a medical analogy is fitting. When critically endangered, species may need intensive care; we nurture the failing populations with our skills; by mitigating the limiting factors and improving survival and breeding, that is by giving life sustaining care.

There has been a debate raging for decades in conservation biology, do we invest in saving species or do we conserve ecosystems? The reality is, as we can show, saving species drives the restoration of habitats and ecosystems. Durrell’s interest in the pygmy hog in the late 1960s and 1970s led to captive breeding and reintroduction, and is growing into work restoring the grasslands in Assam.

Mike Crowther, the founder of the prize, explained that my submission had been overwhelmingly endorsed by the selection committee and that I had won, not only because of the species we have saved, but also for developing techniques and learning how to rebuild lost and damaged ecosystems. The committee was impressed that we were replacing the role of the extinct Mauritian giant tortoise by using Aldabra tortoises that are grazers and seed dispersers. Without these tortoises, it is likely that several plant species would become extinct.

You have worked for the Trust for more than 40 years and are still going strong.

What motivates you now?

I have seen the Trust grow in influence and our projects have become more and more successful. I embrace our philosophies of working long-term on endangered species, working with local organisations, developing local capacity and how we are learning to reverse the damage that has been done to wildlife.

I love our zoo and the work we do there, using it for training conservationists and helping people to connect with nature.

Much of the way Durrell undertakes its mission today is led by and influenced by you. Are you and the Trust on the right track? Give your favourite example.

Many of the approaches we have developed in Mauritius are being applied to some of Durrell’s other projects.

What is really encouraging is that these projects are being developed further, demonstrating that these ideas work, and have great potency whether applied to

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mountain chicken frogs, pygmy hogs or red-billed choughs. Much of this is in the fertile area between captivity and the wild, working with semi-wild or free-living populations. We are taking the ideas of captive breeding, of how to improve survival and breeding rates by careful care, and applying them to free-living populations. Durrell is taking its captive breeding skills into the field, we are world leaders and have probably saved more species from extinction than any other organisation and this is driving the rebuilding of islands, marshlands, forests and grasslands.

I love all of our projects; the work on mountain chicken frogs in Montserrat where we are looking to manage the disease they suffer from under field conditions, is impressive. Of course, I am extraordinarily fond of the red-billed chough restoration in Jersey that was based upon work we did in Mauritius on the echo parakeet. Let’s look forward and apply the Durrell approach to looking after a population of the rapidly declining giant jumping rat in Madagascar.

What are your hopes for the future of biodiversity conservation, which is faced with enormous challenges globally, such as habitat degradation and climate change? Do you think Durrell’s approach will meet the challenges or must it evolve? If so, how?

Modern conservation philosophies have hamstrung our thinking. The idea that we can save wildlife by setting up protected areas and restore systems to their once pristine state is limiting. Of course, where

We are showing the way forward in saving species, rebuilding systems, and training the next generation of conservationists.

In true Durrell fashion, we need to be restlessly striving to improve. We are developing the tools for saving species and building ecosystems that are efficient sequesters of carbon. Durrell has the answers; we are making steps towards solving major problems.

You have told us what your childhood was like. What will your old age be like?

I am still doing many of the things I was when in my twenties, although more of my time is spent advising and mentoring other projects, giving lectures, and writing.

I enjoy all of these hugely. I am now based in mid-Wales with my family where we have a small-holding, although I still travel a lot and usually visit Mauritius twice a year for a month or more on each trip. I still keep animals, and having school-aged children gives me the excuse to keep the pets I had as a child – rabbits, chickens and guinea-pigs, and we also have macaws, owls, hawks and cockatoos.

My greatest pride is a breeding pair of Andean condors.

I would like to spend the coming years working with the next generation of conservation biologists, developing the scholarship fund, mentoring and helping where I can, and developing some new projects in Jersey and the UK. TO P LEFT Carl holding a Mauritius kestrel chick

INVESTING IN THE CONSERVATIONISTS OF TOMORROW One of the biggest legacies left by Gerald Durrell is the millions of children he inspired to nurture wildlife. Some of those, in turn, went on to become conservationists themselves. One such person is our very own Chief Scientist, Prof Carl Jones, who dedicated his life to save some of the world’s rarest animals.

Gerald Durrell recognised that saving endangered species and their habitat depended on the skill and dedication of people working in the countries where they are found. In 1984, Gerry founded the Durrell Academy as a place to share the knowledge and expertise with these passionate individuals from around the world who were determined to make a difference.

By championing the conservationists of tomorrow, the global impact of Durrell reaches far beyond our own projects and success. By sharing our conservation skills, we can unlock and maximise the potential of other individuals and organisations.

The Carl Jones Scholarship Fund Carl Jones has probably saved more threatened species than any other person. Through his hard work and tenacity, he has brought back at least nine species from the brink of extinction over the course of his inspiring career, which spans more than 40 years.

In Carl’s honour, we are delighted to launch The Carl Jones Scholarship Fund.

This will enable the most promising conservationists working in Durrell’s global rewilding sites or on our priority species, to benefit from the knowledge and experience that Durrell has to offer.

The scholarship will support each student for two years. During this time, they will have the opportunity to attend the flagship Durrell Endangered Species Management (DESMAN) course in Jersey, along with bespoke face-to-face teaching, online training, self-directed learning and professional exchanges.

How you can help Our trainees are already making a meaningful difference to the health of our planet, but we need to do more.

A scholarship would enable a young conservationist to achieve their full potential and make a difference to the world we share. Your support today will allow us to provide professional support and training to those who can make the most significant impact on endangered species and habitats.

By championing our students today, we can support the conservationists of tomorrow and drive widespread change for nature. £13,000 provides a Carl Jones Scholarship, supporting a student through a full two-year Professional Development Programme.

THE TIME IS NOW. WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET FACING ITS BIGGEST CRISIS, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR US TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SAVE WILDLIFE AND RECOVER HABITATS If you’d like to know more about The Carl Jones Scholarship Fund, and how you can support the next generation of conservationists, please email paula.duff@durrell.org

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THE POWER OF ONE O NE C AU SE TO UN I TE US A L L The crisis facing our beautiful planet is at tipping point. More than ever, we need to develop the next generation of conservation heroes. Durrell has the skills and experience to share with frontline conservationists so they can continue to fight the battle to save our planet.

O NE PERSON IS ALL IT TA K ES Together we can provide conservationists from across our rewilding sites with the training they need to reach their full potential.

With your support more conservationists will restore healthy and diverse ecosystems in which wildlife and people can thrive together.

“When I went to Durrell it changed my life, it inspired me and it made me see things quite differently, in a more professional way.�

IVA N LO ZA N O-OR TEG A

DESMAN GRADUATE AND CREATOR OF THE BIOPARQUE LA RESERVA 1999

THE CA RL J ON E S S C H O L A RS HI P Professor Carl Jones is Durrell’s Chief Scientist and self-declared disciple of Gerald Durrell.

He has brought back at least nine species from the brink of extinction and without him the natural world would be a much poorer place.

This scholarship will enable promising conservationists by providing financial support so they can access our world leading conservation training.

Education has the power to improve the health of our planet and drive widespread change for nature. Together we can empower the next generation of conservation leaders via the Carl Jones Scholarship.

O N E L IF E T O M AK E A DIF F E R E N CE £13,000 provides a promising conservationist with a Carl Jones Scholarship, which will support them through the 12-week Durrell Endangered Species Management Course and two-year Professional Development Programme.

INVE S T IN TH E H O P E S OF TO MO RR O W

£120 supports the journey of a young conservationist through our Durrell training £240 helps a scholar complete a two-year professional development programme £13,000 will change a life and ensure a Carl Jones Scholar can reach their full potential As a donor you will hear directly from your scholar about how you are helping to transform their work to heal our beautiful planet.

G A B R IE L A R E Z E N D E

Durrell alumni, now Project Coordinator for the Endangered Black Lion Tamarin Programme run by the Institute for Ecological Research, Brazil

DONATE NOW WWW.DURRELL.ORG/SCHOLARSHIP

MEET THE TEAM Chris Ransom joined the Durrell team in March as Director of Field Programmes. This role includes the management of Durrell’s rewilding sites around the world.

In this interview, Chris gives us an insight into his work before joining the team and his aspirations for the vital work that Durrell does.

What have your first impressions been of Durrell? Durrell has always had a fantastic reputation, but being on the inside, I can honestly say the work they deliver is really outstanding, and they continue to lead the way in species conservation.

a bit of a change for me to step back from programmes and be granting out money rather than trying to raise it. I’m really excited about helping Durrell deliver our current strategy and thinking about where we might want to go with this in the future. The challenges the planet faces are huge, but we can play an important role in addressing them if we focus our skills and experience on the areas where we can have the most impact.

There are so many dedicated and inspiring people here, all of whom have been so welcoming. It is great to see how much collaboration there is across the Trust, and everyone works towards achieving our mission. It feels like a privilege to have joined the team.

How has it been starting a new job during the COVID-19 lockdown? It has been a strange and, at times, challenging start to my time here. I didn’t meet anyone from Durrell in person for the first four months, and I only made it to Jersey for the first time in September. It feels like I’ve spent the last six months on Zoom, while also having to home-school two young children. One thing I have learnt is that I am not cut out to be a teacher.

What excited you about this job when you first saw it advertised? I read Gerald Durrell’s books when I was a kid, and long admired the work of Durrell. When I saw the job advertised, I knew this was an opportunity to continue the work that Gerry started, and that was such an exciting opportunity. I have also known Durrell’s CEO Lesley Dickie for many years. The opportunity to work with her again was a big attraction, especially after talking to her and hearing more about the Rewild Our World Strategy, the amazing programmes and the fantastic team we have here. I couldn’t wait to be part of it.

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When travel restrictions allow, which one of Durrell’s field programmes are you most looking forward to visiting? I’ve been fortunate to visit and work in many countries around the world, but none of those in which Durrell currently works, so I am excited to visit all of them when I can. If I had to pick one, then I think it would be Assam to meet the rarest pig in the world and see the incredible work the team are doing reintroducing pygmy hogs to the wild. It is a part of the world that I have always wanted to visit and to see those sub-Himalayan grasslands and the species that live there will be a bucket list moment. After the year we have had, I think my wife might secretly be hoping I’ll go to Mauritius first and take her!

Tell us about your experience before Durrell and what you hope to achieve in this role? I’ve spent most of my career working in the field on conservation projects or managing and leading programmes from the UK. The year prior to joining Durrell I worked for a large philanthropic foundation, which was

Any highlights at Durrell so far? This is an easy one! I was fortunate to get the opportunity to accompany the rescued Mauritian reptiles on the last leg of their journey from London to Jersey. That was my first, and likely last, time on a private jet. Not a bad way to arrive in Jersey for the first time and especially when delivering such precious cargo.

When did you decide you wanted to be a conservationist? I don’t think there was one pivotal moment, but it seemed a natural career path following a childhood around animals and reading a lot of books about animals and conservation. I particularly remember Gerry’s books and Born Free by Joy Adamson, which inspired me, and I always loved nature and the outdoors.

I knew from quite early on that I was going to work with wildlife in some way and dreamt of some romantic lifestyle surrounded by wilderness and wildlife.

Working out of a box room at home in south London for the last six months isn’t quite what I envisaged!

F I N D OU T M OR E A B OU T OUR R EW I L DI N G SI T ES H ER E W W W. DU R R EL L . OR G/ R EW IL D

DisOpatDchO d

what is A

reptile?

Reptiles are cold-blooded, which means they rely on the heat of their environment (surroundings) to warm them up.

They are vertebrates (animals with backbones).

They have dry skin, covered in either scales or horny plates.

Reptiles that are alive today include lizards, tuatara, snakes, tortoises and turtles, crocodiles and alligators.

Tortoises & Turtles Tortoises and turtles have changed very little from species that lived 200 million years ago. They have a shell made of bony plates called scutes, which they can pull their head and legs into for protection. The mouth is beaklike and toothless. Tortoises live on land and have stumpy legs, whereas turtles spend most of their time in water and have webbed feet or even flippers.

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D O D O D I S PAT C H

lizards

snakes

Lizards are the most common type of reptile.

They live in many different places, on the ground, in trees, with some even burrowing. Most lizards have long tails and move around on four legs.

They usually eat insects and other small animals.

A snake is a reptile with a long, thin body but no legs. All snakes eat live food (prey), which they grab and swallow whole. A snake can open its jaws very wide so they can eat large prey.

They have two ways to kill. Some squeeze their strong bodies around prey to stop them breathing, and others have hollow pointed teeth (fangs) which inject their prey with venom (a poison).

RUn awaaaaaay…

Some lizards, like the Telfair’s skink, can ‘drop’ their tail if it is grabbed by a predator. The dropped tail continues to wiggle, confusing the predator and giving the lizard time to escape. The lizard then grows a new tail to replace the old one.

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D O D O D I S PAT C H

Crocodiles & alligators Crocodiles and alligators belong to a group of reptiles called crocodilians. They are powerful predators with long snouts and big, side-flattened tails. Some have jaws strong enough to crush bone! They lurk in shallow water waiting for prey. The biggest kinds can snatch large animals from river banks and drag them beneath the water to drown. Crocodilians include the biggest reptile alive today, the saltwater crocodile, which can grow up to 7m in length. That’s four times the height of an adult human!

reptile eggs

The embryo grows inside the egg until it is ready to hatch.

embryo

Most reptiles hatch from eggs. Some are soft with leather-like shells, whereas others are more like bird eggs, with tough, hard shells.

Some reptiles leave their eggs to develop and hatch on their own, but others guard over the nest and take care of the young when they hatch. Baby reptiles are born looking like tiny versions of their parents.

Eggshell The eggshell has tiny holes which let air seep into and out of the egg, so that the baby reptile can breathe.

yolk sac The yolk contains food that the baby reptile absorbs as it grows.

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D O D O D I S PAT C H

warm me up Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot produce heat in their own bodies.

This is why most reptiles are found in warm or hot places. Reptiles often lie (bask) in the sun to get warm. As the day gets hotter they find shade to cool down in. By moving between sunlight and shade reptiles can keep their body temperature even throughout the day.

Reptile skin Reptiles shed their outer skin, which lets them grow and also replace old, damaged skin. The process is called shedding. Most lizards shed their skin in large flakes. But snakes renew their skin by crawling out of their old skin, often leaving it in one piece.

shed snake skin 18

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SECTION TITLE

Mascarene

M A RV EL S Carl Jones has been working to save endangered wildlife on the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues for over 40 years. He has pioneered many techniques for restoring threatened ecosystems, which are now used in conservation projects across the world.

THE MASCARENE ISLANDS

MAURITIUS RÉUNION RODRIGUES

Through his dedication, Carl has directly saved more species from extinction than anyone else. Here are some of the animals that, without Carl’s dedication and guidance, would likely not be around today.

Pink pigeon Population In the late 1970s: 10. Now: around 450 Found Mainland Mauritius and the offshore island of Ile aux Aigrettes Length 36-40cm Diet Flowers, leaves and fruit of native and exotic trees

Main threats Severe habitat loss; predation by introduced mammals, such as the crab-eating macaque and rats; nonnative plants reduce the quality of habitat for breeding and foraging habitat.

Mauritius kestrel Population In 1974: 4. Now: around 400 Found Mauritius, mainly Black River Gorges National Park and

When the number of pink pigeons had reached a critical level, a captive breeding programme was established. By the late 1980s, the first captive-bred birds were released into the wild. Since then, the pigeons have been intensely monitored.

The methods used to save the pink pigeon are now used in projects to restore other threatened pigeons worldwide.

Bambous Mountains Length 25-29cm Diet Mainly geckos with other lizards, shrews, insects and small birds

Main threats Habitat loss and deterioration; predation by non-native mammals, such as the lesser Indian mongoose; introduced plants cover the forest floor reducing visibility for hunting; and widespread DDT pesticide application.

On arrival in Mauritius, Carl began working with one of the world’s rarest birds – the Mauritius kestrel. Despite prevailing opinions that the species was doomed to extinction, Carl took over the recovery project. He used pioneering methods such as “double-clutching” – the removal of the first clutch of eggs for captive rearing, which encourages the birds to lay a second clutch. Between 1983 and 1993, a total of 333 Mauritius kestrels were reared in captivity.

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SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Echo parakeet Population In the early 1980s: 10. Now: over 700 Found Black River Gorges National Park in Mauritius Length 36-42cm Diet Flowers, leaves and fruit of primarily native, but also exotic plants

Main threats Competition for food and nest sites with the introduced ring-necked parakeet; predation by introduced mammals; and the loss of suitable habitat for nesting and feeding.

While speaking at a conference in 1990, Carl talked about the plight of the echo parakeet and that it would likely become extinct due to a lack of funding. Mike Reynolds of the World Parrot Trust approached Carl after the presentation, and the resultant collaboration secured the much-needed funds and veterinary expertise. Under Carl’s guidance, nest boxes were placed in the forest and feeding stations were set up. By 2005, 139 captive-bred birds had been released. The project to save the echo parakeet is now considered the world’s most successful parrot recovery programme.

Rodrigues warbler

Rodrigues fody

Rodrigues fruit bat

Population In the 1970s: 30. Now: 4,000 Found Dense thickets and woodland

Population In the late 1960s: 10.

Population In the late 1970s: 60.

on Rodrigues Length 13.5cm Diet Mainly insects

Main threats Eggs and chicks taken from the nest by introduced rats and feral cats; loss and degradation of remaining suitable habitat, in particular for timber harvesting.

Rodrigues is one of the world’s most devastated tropical islands with much of its native forest almost entirely destroyed. A crucial part of recovering the Rodrigues warbler has been the protection and reforestation of its habitat. Native species are now being replanted at two sites, which are surrounded by fences to keep out grazing animals and woodcutters.

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Now: up to 8,000 Found: Rodrigues Length: 12cm Diet: Insects, nectar, grains and some fruits

Now: over 10,000 Found: Rodrigues, but once thought to have existed on Mauritius Length 15-20cm Diet Fruit and nectar

Main threats: Habitat loss for

Main threats: Loss of habitat,

agriculture; cyclones and severe drought; competition with the introduced red fody; predation by introduced rats and feral cats.

A devastating cyclone in 1968 followed by a severe drought wiped out most of the Rodrigues fody population. Their numbers have rapidly increased following a programme of reforestation. Fences have been constructed in these areas to keep out free-ranging livestock, which contributed to the destruction of the bird’s native habitat.

particularly fruit trees and roost sites; and cyclones The diet of the Rodrigues fruit bat makes it a vital seed disperser and pollinator in its home range. Their numbers have recovered following habitat restoration and a campaign to raise awareness of their plight among the local people. A captive breeding programme was set up at Jersey Zoo to create a safety net population, as one devastating cyclone in Rodrigues could wipe out most of their number.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Round Island boa Population In the late 1970s: 50. Now: over 1,500

Found: Mauritian offshore islands of Round Island and Gunner’s Quion Length: Average 110cm Diet: Skinks, geckos and occasionally seabird chicks

Main threats: Habitat loss; invasive predators; and introduced goats and rabbits on Round Island The Round Island boa was once found across the Mauritius archipelago. They became restricted entirely to Round Island as it was the only place to never be invaded by predatory mammals, such as rats, which wiped out the species everywhere else. The removal of goats and rabbits from Round Island in the late 1970s and 1980s allowed the vegetation to recover. Extensive habitat restoration has resulted in the boa making a comeback. Between 2012 and 2014, 70 young adults were translocated to the nearby island of Gunner’s Quoin, where the snakes are now widespread.

Günther’s gecko Population In the late 1960s: 150-300. Now: over 2,000 Found: Mauritian offshore islands of Round Island and Ile aux Aigrettes Length: 25cm Diet: Invertebrates, nectar, tree resin and other smaller reptiles Main threats: Habitat loss; invasive predators; and introduced goats and rabbits on Round Island Similar to the Round Island boa, the Günther’s gecko became restricted to Round Island. The loss of vegetation on the island due to invasive goats and rabbits meant the destruction of important nesting sites and exposure to severe weather. Since the replanting of native habitat began on Round Island in 2002, the geckos have made a recovery. They have also been introduced to the island of Ile aux Aigrettes.

Orange-tailed skink Found Native to Flat Island in Mauritius, where it is now believed to be extinct. They have now been introduced to Gunner’s Quoin and Gabriel Island.

Length Average 12cm Diet Mostly invertebrates, but will eat fruit and carrion

Main threats Invasion of the introduced Indian musk shrew by tourists to Flat Island The orange-tailed skink was discovered for the first time in 1995 on Flat Island, the only island where it is thought to naturally occur.

In 2010, an increased amount of tourism to the island resulted in the accidental arrival of the invasive Indian musk shrew, one of the world’s most damaging invasive species. Luckily, the team noticed the invasion and rapidly gathered all the skinks they could find. They moved them to the nearby island of Gunner’s Quoin and some were also brought to Jersey Zoo to form a captive breeding population. When the team returned to Flat Island the following year, no orange-tailed skinks were found. If it wasn’t for this swift action, the species would have gone extinct.

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TECH CORNER

CAMERA TRAPS

MONITORING WILDLIFE IN ASSAM

s Daation tist n v a er ien

im ons d Sc ritY HOG Cme Fiel h D GM am PY ogr pr

A camera trap is aN inexpensive, remotely activated camera with a motion or infrared sensor which captures images when triggered by heat or movement.

In Assam, the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme team have been using camera traps to monitor the world’s smallest and rarest pig, the pygmy hog. These elusive hogs are challenging to spot in the tall grasslands of the Himalayan foothills where they live. The team have therefore been using cameras to observe the wild and reintroduced hogs in Orang and Manas National Park.

The team use elephants specially trained to avoid confrontation with wild animals such as rhino, buffalo or tiger, to transport them and the equipment through the tall grasslands.

After releasing hogs into the wild, camera traps are installed close to the release pens, which are used as feeding sites to help them adjust to their new area. The team use the images to assess the hogs’ health, physical condition and group formation.

In other parts of the grasslands, camera traps allow the team to look for signs of pygmy hogs, as well as other wildlife, without disturbing their natural behaviour. Cameras are also placed near nesting sites to collect data on behaviour, breeding, and interactions with other animals, including predators.

The latest camera trap images in the Orang National Park reveal that the pygmy hogs are thriving alongside several other species, including otters, monitor lizards, hog deer, porcupine and rhino!

C LO C K WI SE FR OM TOP LEFT Parag Deka inspecting one of the camera traps.

Some of the elusive wildlife of Orang National Park captured on the camera traps. Specially trained elephants help transport the team through the tall grasslands.

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TECH CORNER

A ion EKnservattor D G o c RA HOG C e Dire

PAYGMY ramm P

og pr

CAMERA T R

CAn you AP another SEE one?

fishing

cat

Bengal monitor lizard

er

tig

hog deer

rhino

PYGMY HOG

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CA RBON+CONSERVATION We may have all assumed that nature would always be here for us, our children and our grandchildren.

However, our unsustainable use of nature is threatening our future. Environmentalists, scientists and indigenous peoples have been sounding the alarm for decades. Our understanding of the overexploitation of the planet has advanced with grim, sharp clarity over that time. The crisis faced by the natural world is now at a tipping point.

Climate change has long been considered the most pressing environmental concern. However, biodiversity loss is arguably a more profound threat, with the erosion of nature occurring at rates unprecedented in human history. Climate change and biodiversity loss are two sides of the same coin. We either solve both, or we solve neither.

HEALING THE HARM Carbon offsetting is one way of repairing the damage we have caused to nature, and Rewild Carbon is a carbon offsetting programme like no other. It’s about reviving ecosystems, recovering species, reducing carbon and rebuilding livelihoods. Nature is at the very heart of the programme. By offsetting your carbon with Durrell, you are not merely investing in a ‘stick of carbon’. You are investing in a living, breathing ecosystem and the many animals and communities that flourish there.

Carbon offsetting, if done improperly, can cause more harm than good. Forest restoration that is not well designed can mean rows and rows of fast-growing nonnative monocultures. These may have quick wins for carbon but are a disaster for wildlife.

That’s why we’ve spent time doing our homework and researching what makes a highly credible and impactful offset.

WHAT IS CARBON OFFSETTING? A carbon offset is a ‘credit’ for greenhouse gas reductions achieved by one organisation that can be bought and used to offset the emissions of another organisation or person. When the number of carbon offsets obtained is equal to an individual or organisation’s carbon footprint, they are considered ‘carbon neutral’. Before we offset, individuals and organisations should first look to reduce their emissions wherever possible. Increasingly, individuals and organisations are choosing to become ‘climate positive’, meaning you give back more to nature than you take.

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THE ATLANTIC FOREST

WHY OFFSET WITH DURRELL? • We’ve been capturing and

We are launching the first Rewild Carbon project in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil alongside our local partner Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), with whom we have collaborated for 20 years. This extraordinarily lush forest is one of the most biodiverse and threatened habitats on the planet. Sadly, only 6% of it remains today in isolated fragments, most of it replaced by pastures and intensive farmland.

The project aims to restore 4,500 hectares of vital forest corridors by 2030. Linking these isolated fragments will create a lifeline for highly-threatened wildlife such as black lion tamarins, jaguars, tapirs and giant anteaters.

These corridors are established by planting 100 different species of native trees, which will sequester nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the tree’s lifetime.

Native people are at the heart of this project.

The area is designed, and trees are grown and planted by local people. The project also involves agroforestry, thereby providing sustainable livelihoods for the true guardians of this rich landscape.

storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (sequestering) for over 60 years, although we have not exchanged it as such – when you save species, you need to preserve habitat.

• Our ecosystems, although

rich in biodiversity, are highly threatened with many endangered species living among the last fragments.

Species-rich forests can sequester up to 40 times more carbon than monocultures.

• 95% of the money you invest in Rewild Carbon will go straight to nature.

• We will translate tonnes of

carbon into wild commodities like the number of species moving through your trees.

• Our projects are designed

with the local communities and benefit sustainable livelihoods.

• We work with local partners

who we have long-standing relationships. Together, we can better understand the wildlife, the land and the threats they face.

• Our approach is transparent and science-driven.

RIN BL ACK LION TAMA

Brazil monoculture plantation

Brazil mature Atlantic forest

animalS

Less than 1 animal

100 species of mammals 439 species of birds 30 species of amphibians

TREES

0 species of trees

140 species of trees

Carbon sequestered

16 tonnes CO2e per hectare, over 30 years

383 tonnes CO2e per hectare, over 30 years

“We have inherited an incredibly beautiful and complex garden, but the trouble is that we have been appallingly bad gardeners” G ER ALD DU R R E L L 1 9 6 5

T O F I N D OU T MOR E E MA IL RAC HEL. HUGHES@ D UR R E LL.O R G

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THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF HOW ENDANGERED REPTILES WERE RESCUED FROM THE OIL SPILL IN MAURITIUS AND BROUGHT TO JERSEY ZOO TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF THEIR SPECIES.

Emergency

reptile rescue

ON 25 JULY 2020, THE JAPANESE BULK CARRIER, MV WAKASHIO, RAN AGROUND A FEW KILOMETRES FROM THE COAST OF MAURITIUS. CONTAINING ONE MILLION GALLONS OF HEAVY FUEL OIL, THE 300-METRE-LONG SHIP HAD BEEN MAKING ITS WAY FROM CHINA TO BRAZIL WHEN, FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, IT CHANGED COURSE AND EVENTUALLY HIT THE CORAL REEF ON MAURITIUS’ SOUTHEAST COAST.

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EMERGENCY REPTILE RESCUE

Dr Nik Cole, Durrell’s Islands Restoration Manager in Mauritius, who has 18 years’ experience in restoring island ecosystems, travelled to the southeast islets to assess the impact on the wildlife there. After seeking permission from the Mauritian Government, Nik and his colleagues captured a small number of lesser night geckos, Bojer’s skinks and Bouton’s skinks – three highly threatened species of reptile that were now being pushed even closer to the brink of extinction.

Unique to the islands of Mauritius, these reptiles serve an important role within the ecosystem as predators, prey for other threatened animals, and seed dispersers for rare plants. With just a few hundred individuals of each of the three reptile species surviving on the southeast islands, the impact of the oil spill could have caused irreversible damage for these animals, without swift intervention.

A huge investment, of both time and money, has been made by Durrell, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF), National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS), and the Forestry Service over the past 14 years to rebuild the reptile communities on Mauritius’ offshore islands. The oil spill had the potential to undo this important work.

Altogether, 66 animals were collected from four islets – Ile de la Passe, Ilot Vacoas, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile Marianne. The populations of these species from the affected islands harbour a unique genetic makeup, absent from populations on other islands, which is important to preserve.

The reptiles were taken to a bio-secure holding facility on the mainland, but this was only a temporary solution. The facilities to maintain the animals longterm, keeping them safe from predators, foreign parasites and disease, are not available in Mauritius. Their only chance of survival was over 6,000 miles away, at Durrell’s headquarters in the Channel Islands.

Jersey Zoo has over 40 years’ experience in caring for Mauritian reptiles in captivity.

The zoo’s world-class herpetological and veterinary expertise provided the best possible chance of ensuring the longterm viability of the three species, two of which had never been held in captivity before.

On 15 September, 30 lesser night geckos, 30 Bojer’s skinks and six Bouton’s skinks arrived safely in Jersey on a private aircraft, kindly provided by generous support from the Jean Boulle Group.

Moving the reptiles to the zoo was a lifeline in establishing vital assurance populations of these species and safeguarding their unique genes away from the disaster zone until the longterm impacts of the oil spill are fully understood.

It was thanks to the remarkable perseverance of so many individuals and organisations that this rescue mission was made possible and these irreplaceable reptiles were brought to Jersey Zoo. All 66 animals are now in the expert care of Durrell’s herpetologists to ensure that one day these individuals, their offspring or future generations can be returned to the wild.

To hear first-hand from frontline conservationists and witness the incredible efforts that went on behind the scenes, you can watch Durrell’s mini documentary, made in partnership with Ports of Jersey and Freedom Media, on YouTube. youtube.com/ DurrellWildlifeConservationTrust Alongside the incredible support of the Jean Boulle Group, this reptile rescue mission was made possible by the collaborative efforts of Durrell, MWF, NPCS, the Forestry Service, and BirdLife International. With heartfelt thanks to the many generous individuals who provided funding and the numerous organisations that assisted with the logistics.

A N T I CLO C K WI SE FR O M TO P LEFT Dr Nik Cole with a Bojer’s skink, wearing a mask to protect himself from the toxic fumes. Bojer’s skink. Bouton’s skink. Staff from Durrell, MWF and NPCS preparing the reptiles for the journey to Jersey. All 66 reptiles were placed safely into two crates. Dr Nik Cole with the crates ready to go to the airport.

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EMERGENCY REPTILE RESCUE

C LO C K WI SE FR O M TOP LEFT The crates arrived safely at Jersey Zoo. Durrell’s Head of Herpetology, Matt Goetz, unpacks the reptiles. Unpacking the six Bouton’s skinks. A lesser night gecko waiting to be weighed. A pregnant lesser night gecko. Matt weighing a Bojer’s skink before placing it into its new enclosure.

You can help these Mauritian reptiles survive this disaster and protect the precious offshore islands, so they have a home to return to

durrell.org/wildliferescue

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BE INSPIRED We are so grateful to our fundraisers, members and sponsors and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us. We hope some of the ways supporters are helping to save wildlife will also inspire you.

YOUR ZOO LOVES YOU We have been moved by the kindness shown from our island community and Durrell supporters around the world. Thanks to you, our Love Your Zoo campaign has reached our target of ÂŁ1 million, meaning that Jersey Zoo will not only endure this crisis but thrive into the future.

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DURRELL CHALLENGE SUCCESS Huge congratulations go to the hundreds of runners who took part in the Durrell Challenge 2020. As well as the 13K race in Jersey, many runners around the world took part in the new 13K Virtual Challenge. Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of all the participants, over £90,000 has been raised for Durrell, making this the most successful Durrell Challenge to date! Save the date: the Durrell Challenge 2021 will take place on Sunday 23rd May. We hope to see you there, either in Jersey or virtually!

THANK YOU TO OUR ZOO HER OES Will Highfield

Jersey Gorilla 2020 running challenges

£10,862

Nelly Craven

Draws 4 Durrell 100 animal pictures

£3,385

Ella-Mae, Lucy, Tia

Three Kayaking Amigos – Jersey north coast

£1,170

Bethany ‘Bibi’ Millar

45 Sea Swims Challenge

£1,580

Kirsten Wicks

Virtual Cycle from Chester Zoo to Jersey Zoo

£1,361

Margot & Darcey Shears

Animal inspired limericks

£935

Emma Caton & Rich Howell

‘Round the Rock’ 48-mile relay race

£800

Sharon Le Cappelain

‘I Want a Wonder’ Jersey wonder sales

£737

Adrian Hunt

Time for the Mo to Go – Lockdown Shave

£654

Polly Heaney

15-mile Sponsored Walk

£626

Melanie Gouzinis

Virtual Great North Run and two Virtual marathons

£540

KONG AT THE ZOO Well known amongst pet owners for their dog and cat toys, KONG also works with the keepers at Jersey Zoo to provide enrichment for the animals. As well as donating a variety of animal toys, KONG has also made a generous donation of £3,225 to Durrell.

MOREYSMITH: DOING IT FOR DURRELL UK design studio MoreySmith has kindly chosen Durrell as their charity to support in 2020. The team have taken on various challenges, including cycling, kayaking, running, and roller-skating, to help raise vital funds for Durrell during this difficult time. Follow them @moreysmithdoingitfordurrell

ISSU E 2 • 2020 W ILD LIFE

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Durrell’s Chief Scientist and declared disciple of Gerald Durrell has brought back at least nine species from the brink of extinction and has inspired many people to take up the conservation cause.

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I N C R EA S E D T H E EC HO PAR A KE E T POPUL AT IO N IN M A UR I T I US BY 5 9 0 0 % 3 R EP TILE SPECIES SAVE D FR OM EXTINCTION

HE LP E D TO RESTORE 9 D EGRA D ED MAS C AR ENE OFFSH ORE ISL A N D S

R E SP O NSI B LE F O R 19% O F ALL AVO ID ED B I R D EXTINCTIONS G LO B ALLY

WINNER OF TH E 2016 I NDI ANA POLIS PRIZE

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5 B I R D SPEC I ES SAV ED F R OM EXT I N C T I ON

C A R L L ED T HE R OD R I GUES F R UI T B AT R EC OV ERY PR OGR A M M E F R OM 6 T O OV ER 10, 000 I N D I V I D UA L S

T HE N OB EL PR I Z E OF C ON SERVAT I ON !

BECOME A DURRELL GARDIEN JOIN A GROUP OF WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS SUPPORTING DURRELL’S VISION OF A WILDER, HEALTHIER, MORE COLOURFUL WORLD. Set up by Gerald and Lee Durrell on the 25th anniversary of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to be true “guardians” of the Trust, the Durrell Gardiens are a committed group of supporters, passionate about conservation and making a difference. The Gardiens are ambassadors for Durrell and take pride in sharing our work with friends and acquaintances worldwide.

Gardiens receive invitations to bespoke events and behind-thescenes tours, and are among the first to gain insights into our work direct from the Jersey Zoo team and international conservationists.

As a Gardien, you will also receive regular project updates and, together with the Durrell team, you will be part of the process in deciding where your collective gift is allocated.

JOINING AS A GARDIEN BRINGS YOU EVEN CLOSER TO THE WORK OF DURRELL, WITH EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE EXPERT TEAM AND EXPERIENCE OUR WORK FIRST-HAND. Being a Gardien involves giving an annual gift of £1,500 to Durrell, enabling our mission of saving species from extinction, and directly supporting our zoo projects, which are vital to our vision of a wilder, healthier, more colourful world.

Meet our Chef de Gardiens Richard Prosser has been a passionate Durrell supporter for many years and took on the voluntary role of ‘Chef de Gardiens’ in October 2020. Richard would be delighted to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about joining as a Durrell Gardien.

Please contact Richard on +44 7797717344 or email him at richard@prosser.je

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