on the edge
A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO BIRDS 11 MENTORING HER OES AUTUMN / WINTER 2016
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CRITICAL MADAGASCAR CAMPAIGN
Her home is being destroyed Help us rescue it MEET TANTELY. SHE IS A GENTLE LEMUR, BUT THERE IS NOTHING GENTLE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO HER HOME. Her home is amongst the reedbeds of Lac Alaotra, the largest lake in Madagascar. She is found nowhere else in the world other than this one reedbed, in this one lake. That reedbed is fast disappearing which means Tantely loses her home, many local people lose vital resources and the lake stops functioning. Nobody wins. The lake is hugely important for over half a million people who share it with Tantely. These people are desperately poor and have few options in life. It is a challenge to find ways to help these people improve their lives and protect their environment, as well as the species they share it with. But it is possible.
THERE IS HOPE After a decade of hard work, in 2015 we and our partners secured protected status for the lake. The whole area can now be run by local people. Now we can create lasting change. The main guardians of this new haven are a group of patrollers, people from the local communities; our species saviours. They patrol the lake looking for signs of illegal activities such as burning and cutting in the reeds. Their work is hard, exhausting and at times dangerous. They do this because they believe in the importance of the lake. No reeds, no lake, no future – it’s that simple.
SUPPORT OUR SPECIES SAVIOURS We want to help the people of Lac Alaotra to preserve their environment and to save Tantely’s home, first by stopping illegal burning and second by restoring and replanting areas of marsh. Help build up this patrol, give them uniforms to wear, canoes to patrol the waterways and GPS units to log their observations. We use the information they collect to enforce the rules of the protected area. We need a team of 120 patrollers working 365 days a year to keep Tantely, her family and all the animals and plants of Lac Alaotra safe.
PLEASE, IF YOU CAN, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR CRITICAL MADAGASCAR CAMPAIGN. SUPPORT OUR SPECIES SAVIOURS AND GIVE HOPE TO TANTELY AND HER SPECIES.
£2 £20 £40 £60 £100 £200
pays for a patroller to survey the reedbeds each day pays for a patroller’s uniform enables us to facilitate workshops, working with local communities pays for a canoe for the patrollers to use in the waterways buys the smartphone and software needed to record incidents keeps our vehicles and species saviours on the road for one month
donate TODAY www.durrell.org/tantely
Welcome to On the Edge Autumn 2016 Much has happened at Durrell since last spring, the most momentous being the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Dr Lesley Dickie. Lesley was educated at the universities of Glasgow, Cambridge and London. For her PhD she studied the elusive carnivore of Madagascar, the fossa. She worked as a keeper and records coordinator at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, as conservation programme manager at the Zoological Society of London, and most recently as Executive Director of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Lesley is an editor of the book Zoos in the 21st Century: Catalysts for Conservation. She is also an artist, creating works with a conservation theme. Gerald Durrell would have praised her ‘wide spectrum mind’ and called her a ‘boom-boom lady’, his highest compliment.
Welcome, Lesley, to the exhilarating world of Durrell! In the last six months Prof Carl Jones, our Chief Scientist, won the prestigious Indianapolis Prize, the Nobel Prize of conservation. Juliette Velosoa of our Madagascar team won the Whitley Award 2016 for her work with the rere turtle. At the Park we witnessed the birth of an aye-aye and the hatching of Lesser Antillean iguanas. In the field we undertook the 100th release to the wild of a pygmy hog born at the breeding centre in Assam, and we brought together the only two remaining mountain chicken frogs – happily, a female and a male – in Montserrat. Henry Cavill led the Durrell Challenge race, and Milo Parker, who plays Gerry in The Durrells, became the newest Durrell Ambassador. On behalf of Durrell I would like to express our gratitude to Kevin Keen, Interim Chief Executive, who did more than just hold the reins since last January. Kevin, your wisdom, decisiveness and boundless enthusiasm for all things Durrell were deeply appreciated, and we salute you!
Lee Durrell, Honorary Director
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Contents 4
Durrell Times
10 David Jeggo retires 12 SAFE - It’s time to appreciate amphibians 14 Mentoring heroes for endangered species 17 Massive milestone for a miniature pig 20 IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 21 Restoring and protecting habitat 22 Latest bear cub update 23 Conservation of the white handed tamarin 24 15th Anniversary of the Rumboll Travel Award 26 A bumper year for bats 28 Happy ending for our frog fairytale? 29 Latest on The Durrells 30 The inaugural Gerald Durrell Week Jersey and Academy update
PHOTO AND DRAWING CREDITS
Lelia Boyd, Robbie Dark, Jeff Dawson, Daniel Drakes, Estate of Gerald Durrell, Pierre Guibert, Indianapolis Prize, ITV Sid Gentle Films, Craig Jones, Tiffany Lang, Dan Lay, Ian McCarthy, Colin Stevenson and Charlie Wylie.
COVER IMAGE
Professor Carl Jones at the Indianapolis Prize announcement.
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DURRELL TIMES Autumn / Winter 2016
Our baby aye-aye is the first born at Durrell in 13 years.
Aye aye, it’s a baby aye-aye We were very excited to announce recently that a baby aye-aye was born at the Park in June.
arrival is also important for the European aye-aye studbook.
The aye-aye is a fascinating and misunderstood creature, long persecuted in its native Madagascar, as it is considered to be an omen of evil. However, with its large eyes and outsized ears, we think our new baby is the epitome of cuteness!
The baby, whose sex is yet to be determined, was born to first time mum Ala. Aye-aye babies weigh around 100-120g at birth and remain in the nestbox for about two months before exploring their surroundings.
The birth is a significant landmark, given that the global captive population is very small. As neither of its parents have bred before, this new 6
Our new mum and baby are currently not on public view, but our other aye-ayes can be seen at the Park and you can take a sneaky peak at the beautiful baby at www.durrell.org/ayeaye-baby
DURRELL TIMES
All new Keeper Talks
K E E P E R TA LK S
Meet our experts as they share their stories about some of our most captivating animals. Take in as many as seven different, all new, Keeper Talks. Hear more about our mischievous macaques, gracious gorillas and adorable Andean bears, including little cub, Raymi. You’ll leave as a true animal aficionado… Check out the latest talk schedule or learn more and plan your day by visiting www.durrell.org/visit
Meet our keepers and hear about the animals they look after and the wider conservation work of Durrell
11.30 Bears Enriching environments
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a member of the Association of Jersey Charities, membership number 69.
14.30 Macaques Primate politics
12.00 Gorillas Guarding the gentle giants 12.30 Orangutans Their fate in the palm of your hand 14.00 Choughs Sea crows are back (MON, WED & SAT)
Tortoises Prized possessions (TUES, THURS, FRI & SUN)
15.00 Fruit Bats Farmers of the forest
Are you a Durrell Detective?
Find out with our new activity sheets Learning fun just got better…. We’ve produced a series of activity sheets that can be downloaded at home and printed out in readiness for your visit to the Park.
Topics include being a ‘Durrell Detective’, getting ‘Around the Park in A to Z’ and learning about ‘Brilliant Bears’. Are you up for the challenge? Find out more and download your activity sheets at www.durrell.org/teachers
ACTlVlTY SHEET 9
ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
WHERE IN THE WORLD ? Visit the Durrell Discovery Centre and tour the grounds of the wildlife understand where we park to do our conservation work.
ACTlVlTY SHEET 6 GE? THE CHALLEN ARE YOU UP TO
VISITI NG? NATIV E OR JUST ISLAN D SPEC IES wildlife or do they Jersey’s Are they part of Hide visit the Wild Bird animals come from? Where do these some Jersey wildlife, t island? To see come from a differen the Madagascar Wetlands. near down in the valley
D ANIM AL ISLAN ..... ........... ........... Mountain Chicken Can. you ....... . . animal . . an . . . .find . . . . . . . . . . .comes from Europe? which Green Lizard .......... . . . . .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... Agile Frog . . . . . ... ........... ........... Wood Pigeon ..... ........... ........... Echo Parakeet .......... ........... . . . . . . Robin ..... ........... ........... Orangutans ..... ........... ........... Red Squirrel ......... ........... . . . . . . . Bat Livingstone’s Fruit ........ . . . . . . . . . . ......... Aye-aye ..... ........... ........... Heron
ACTlVlTY
SHEET 3
ARE YOU UP TO THE CHAL LENG
AR OU ND
E?
THE PA RK IN A TO Z
• Can you make your way arou • You can nd the wildl ife park as answ use the animal and fill out ers. names, species the Durre (common ll alphabet or scien A is for challeng tific (Latin e? . . . . . . . ) names) or coun . . . . . . . tries of origin . . . . . .
B is for P is for . . . . . . . . Can you find an animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . which . . . . . . . comes from South C is America? Q is for . for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. . . . . . . . . . D is for .. . . . . . . . . . R is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E is for . S is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F is for . T is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G is for . U is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H is for . V is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I is for . Don’t forget W is for the .to . mark . . . . . . . . . . .on . . . . . . . . . maps where . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J is for . the animals X is for . . . . are . . . . . . . . . .from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K is for . Y is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L is for . Z is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O is for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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DURRELL TIMES
Durrell stories on film – places, people and passion Next time you visit the Park, take a break and drop into the Harcroft Theatre in the Durrell Discovery Centre to catch a short film or two.
We have a rolling programme that runs all day, featuring some great conservation stories, stunning footage of the places where we work and interesting, inspirational tales from our people who are passionate about what they do.
DURRELL
STORIES
ON FILM Take a break and drop into the Harcroft Theatre in the Durrell Discovery Centre anytime and catch a short film or two. The programme runs all day and features some great Durrell conservation stories with stunning images of the places where we work and the passionate people who work for us.
Our Head of Conservation Science has recently coauthored the first major multi-species analysis of what makes for success in endangered species recovery programmes for mammals.
Places People Passion
&
THE PIED TAMARIN – SURVIVING THROUGH THE GOODWILL OF HUMAN NEIGHBOURS (4 min) 30 YEARS OF CONSERVATION FOR THE RAREST TORTOISE IN THE WORLD (2 min) DURRELL TV TOP STORIES (6 min) PLANTING FOREST CORRIDORS TO GIVE BLACK LION TAMARINS A CHANCE (6 min) CANS FOR CORRIDORS – YOU CAN RECYCLE TO PLANT TREES! (5 min) BIODIVERSITY IS US – WE ARE ALL CONNECTED (5 min) WAZA ORANGUTANS – REFUGEES OF THE LOST RAINFOREST (29 min) BBC Channel Islands SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF MADAGASCAR (4 min) THE LONELY DODO (4 min) Aardman MADAGASCAR – FEEL THE CONNECTION (4 min) LET’S BRING BACK THE CHOUGHS (13 min) JULIETTE – MOTHER OF THE ‘RERE’ WINS AN AWARD (3 min)
saving species from extinction Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a member of the Association of Jersey Charities, membership number 69
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New paper published by Durrell’s Dr Richard Young
Dr Richard Young Head of Conservation Science
The paper notes that results have been mixed, with some spectacular recoveries and some extinctions. Of course each endangered species presents its own challenges, but common features of success are removing the threats and ensuring long term habitat protection and effective stakeholder coordination. Read the full paper www.durrell.org/news
DURRELL TIMES
Conservation training workshop in Pretoria
Next time you shop, please think of us If you live in Jersey and shop at the Co-op Food Stores, Locale, Homemaker, Travelmaker or Dealmaker and wish to donate your dividend to Durrell, then please quote our share number 2001 when asked.
Mark Brayshaw and Dr Tim Wright
Durrell’s Head of Animal Collection, Mark Brayshaw, and the Manager of our Conservation Academy, Dr Tim Wright, recently visited the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa to conduct a conservation training workshop. The five day programme covered design of species recovery programmes, captive breeding as a conservation tool, enclosure design and population management. The team also caught up with two Jersey-trained Academy graduates now working at the National Zoological Gardens. Feedback was excellent, and we hope to collaborate further in the future.
Every penny counts! We’d be grateful if you would help our mission to save species from extinction every time you shop. Thank you!
DON’T FOR
G
to quote ET share numour ber
2001
Mark Brayshaw training National Zoological Garden staff
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DURRELL TIMES
Our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, presents prestigious award to one of our Madagascar team
In recognition of her commitment to save the Critically Endangered sidenecked turtle, Juliette Velosoa recently received the 2016 Whitley Award. Juliette Velosoa
Dragon’s Den of eleven
Lesser Antillean iguana hatchling
We were thrilled when summer saw the hatching of eleven Lesser Antillean iguanas at the Park. Durrell is the only institution that has managed to breed this Critically Endangered species, and we’re incredibly proud that the expertise of our keepers and the plants grown especially as food for the iguanas at our organic farm have contributed to this success.
Juliette has led the recovery programme for the rere since 1998, encouraging the management of natural resources by local communities and restoration of wetlands. The Award will help fund the development of locally-led management plans to enable sustainable use of wetlands in two key sites. Visit www.durrell.org/rere to learn more about our work with the rere.
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Read more about how to grow a baby dragon at www.durrell.org/news The next generation of Lesser Antillean iguanas
DURRELL TIMES
Dates for your diary
Our Ambassador Henry Cavill at the start of the 2016 Durrell Challenge
F R I DAY 17th F EB R UA RY
Where’s Your Animal? Show us your wild side by joining us on 17th February 2017 and support our Ambassador Henry Cavill’s fundraising efforts for Durrell by dressing top to toe, or with perhaps just a hint of animal print… fake of course. Donate to Durrell as you dress down… or dress up!
S U N DAY 1 4 th M AY
The Durrell Challenge & Family Fun Day Following the huge success of our 2016 event, we’ll be repeating the Durrell Challenge and Family Fun Day on Sunday 14th May 2017. Dust down your trainers and don the latest lycra to join us for the 13k run from St Helier to Trinity, or for the newly introduced Fun Run in the Park, followed by a Family Fun Day with entertainment for all ages in the grounds of our wonderful Wildlife Park. Keep up to date with the latest on both events on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/durrellwildlife or visit www.durrell.org/events
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A L I FET I ME D EVO T ED T O B I RD S
DAVID JEGGO
by Lee Durrell, Honorary Director
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David Jeggo, Head of the Bird Department at Durrell, has retired this autumn as one of the longest serving members of staff at the Wildlife Park. He joined as a bird keeper in 1970 and rose through the ranks to become Curator (equivalent to Head) in 1988. He excelled not only in the husbandry and breeding of rare birds, such as Congo peafowl, Palawan peacock pheasant, thick-billed parrot, pink pigeon, St Lucia parrot and Bali starling, but in many other conservationrelated areas.
David was among the first at Durrell to undertake work in the field. He studied wild St Lucia parrots on several expeditions beginning in 1975, famously responding to a call from the St Lucia government after the devastating Hurricane Allen in 1980. Wielding a chainsaw to forge his way through the ravaged forest, David assessed the destruction and counted the remaining parrots. He went to New Caledonia in 1978 to study the enigmatic crane-like kagu, in serious decline due to hunting and collecting. Although the species was not a focus of Durrell’s conservation actions, David was encouraged in this field research by Gerald Durrell, who wanted his animal staff to have a broad experience of different species from different countries.
He accompanied Gerald and me on a trip to Mexico in 1979 to collect the threatened volcano rabbit for breeding back in Jersey. The fact that the species was a mammal, and therefore not exactly within David’s sphere of expertise, shows just how much his abilities were appreciated! C L O C K W ISE F R O M A BOVE David (left) with Lee and Gerald Durrell collecting volcano rabbits on a trip to Mexico in 1979 David (right) with Glyn Young and a sarus crane c. mid 1980s David with a black-winged starling at Weltvogelpark Walsrode
David wrote many learned papers for our in-house scientific journal The Dodo and passed on his skills to innumerable young keepers in the Bird Department, who have then carried on with their own work in captive breeding and in the wild. Not confining his knowledge and skills to Durrell, David has been proactive in the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). He is currently Chairman of the Passeriformes Taxon Advisory Group, Vice-Chairman of the Waterfowl Taxon Advisory Group and Chairman of the Threatened Asian Songbird Alliance.
We are not really letting David retire – his expertise is too valuable! We are proud to say that he will continue to represent Durrell on all the EAZA forums, as well as remain on Durrell's Ethics Committee and Lanscape Advisory group as an independent member.
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donate TODAY
www.durrell.org/SAFE
IT’ S TI M E TO A P P R E C I AT E A M P H I B I AN S We know they’re not cute and cuddly, but even princesses kiss frogs, right? Did you know that amphibians are the most overlooked, yet the most threatened vertebrate group in the world? What these unnoticed species do for us is extraordinary. Amphibians are hugely important in maintaining healthy forests and wetlands. They are vital to planet Earth. Amphibian biodiversity is currently being lost at unprecedented rates around the world, primarily due to human activities, including introducing invasive species and facilitating the spread of deadly infectious diseases. One such disease is the virulent chytridiomycosis, described as one of the worst vertebrate diseases ever recorded.
Boophis goudotii
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We need to take action now to help SAVE AMPHIBIANS FROM EXTINCTION. SAFE is Durrell’s global action plan for saving amphibians. A rescue operation, headed by Durrell, has been launched to prevent a catastrophe for amphibians worldwide. Our aspiration is to see the most threatened amphibians at ten global priority sites SAFE, thanks to conservation efforts led by local institutions in partnership with the zoo and conservation communities.
Durrell hits the Big Smoke to present SAFE The SAFE programme provides the focus for our Durrell London Lecture 2016.
To ensure amphibians are SAFE, we will progress through four stages:
On Thursday 3rd November, at the Royal Institution in Mayfair’s Albermarle Street, our experts will share how they are working to save some of the world’s most fascinating creatures from extinction.
1 SAFEchecks - understand the situation of species in the wild in order to guide our conservation actions
Unable to attend? You can still be a part of the event by following us on twitter @DurrellWildlife and using #DurrellSAFE to join the conversation.
2 SAFEhavens - set up captive breeding facilities as needed
3 SAFEguards - develop key skills in local partners
Learn more about the Durrell London Lecture by visiting www.durrell.org/ londonlecture2016
4 SAFEty in numbers – galvanise support and collaboration from the international community
For further information contact lucy.archer@durrell.org or telephone 01534 860167.
For this programme to take off we must raise £150,000.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Locate Jersey and Thrive Renewables, kind sponsors of this event
To help SAFE visit www.durrell.org/ safe or contact Jeff Dawson, Durrell’s Amphibian Programme Manager, on 01534 860161 or email: jeff.dawson@ durrell.org
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MENTORING HEROES FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
Carl at the Indianapolis Prize 2016 announcement
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Without Carl Jones the natural world would be a poorer place. Many animal and plant species would have become extinct and fewer people would have been inspired to take up the conservation cause. Carl is Durrell’s Chief Scientist and Scientific Director of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, and we are delighted that he is the winner of the prestigious Indianapolis Prize 2016. Discussing Carl’s amazing contribution to conservation, our Honorary Director, Lee Durrell, tells us: “When it comes to choosing heroes, you should select people with the passion, intellect and tenacity required to overcome long odds to achieve great things. My late husband, Gerry Durrell, was not only one such hero, but he inspired others. One of his disciples is now considered to be among the greatest animal champions today, and I know that his powerful tale will spark a new generation of heroes for endangered species and ecosystems.
“The story takes place largely on the island of Mauritius and has compelling connections to the flightless dodo and Darwin’s giant tortoises. In 1979, after others had valiantly tried and failed, Carl Jones was sent to Mauritius by his then employers with orders to shut down an unsuccessful conservation programme. But when he arrived and saw the world’s most endangered bird species – a single breeding pair of Mauritius kestrels – he defied orders, pioneered innovative breeding techniques and overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to save the kestrel from extinction.
Like his mentor, Gerald Durrell, Carl didn’t believe in ‘lost causes’ “This singular achievement of nearly four decades ago is now considered by many to represent the most outstanding restoration of a species accomplished by conservation breeding and reintroduction. But our hero’s tale doesn’t end there. “Carl Jones, now Professor Jones, committed his life to developing the pioneering techniques that would ultimately allow him to amass a body of work placing him as the conservation scientist who has saved more critically endangered species from extinction than anyone else. As well as the Mauritius kestrel, these species include the pink pigeon, Telfair’s skink, echo parakeet, Rodrigues warbler, Rodrigues fruit bat, Gunther’s gecko and a host of others. Carl (right) with his mentor Gerald Durrell (centre)
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Carl holding a Mauritius kestrel
“Carl’s work continues to this day, but his platform expanded enormously when in early May he was recognised as the winner of the 2016 Indianapolis Prize, the Nobel Prize for animal conservation. “This international recognition – and the $250,000 cash award that comes with it – is important on many levels, but to my mind what is most significant is that it will allow Carl to keep pushing back the frontiers of species and habitat restoration and to mentor a new generation of conservation scientists. “We are experiencing large and growing biodiversity losses worldwide, and this discouraging trend shows no sign of slowing. Leaders from around the globe are struggling to address this crisis, but Mauritius has been identified as a remarkable example of achieving net improvements in its biodiversity. Carl’s 18
work has been critical in this regard, which now serves as a symbol of hope for slowing – and hopefully reversing – the loss of biodiversity. “One of the great lessons Gerry taught me was that you should follow your dream and never take no for an answer. As one of Gerry’s disciples, Carl Jones embodies those values, and our planet is the better for it. But there’s no getting around the harsh reality that there are still far too many endangered species and threatened ecosystems in need of champions willing to commit themselves to their survival. “Reversing biodiversity loss is essential for human survival. Committing one’s life to this cause is heroic, and Professor Carl Jones is an incomparable mentor and role model for the next generation of conservation champions our world so desperately needs.”
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A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR A MINI-PIG
In May this year we reached the incredible milestone of the 100th release to the wild of a captive bred pygmy hog in the grasslands of Assam.
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Pygmy hogs are the smallest and rarest members of the pig family. The original population in Manas National Park is likely to have fewer than 250 animals left, so these releases mark major steps forward in securing a viable wild population. Daniel Craven, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Durrell, is passionate about these petite pigs and we’re delighted to share some of his recent experiences with you‌
LEFT Daniel Craven, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Durrell
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“I first went to India when I was eleven years old. I have since become a regular visitor to this amazing country. In 2013 I visited Durrell’s Pygmy Hog Conservation Project in Assam. The trip left me feeling very proud to be associated with Durrell and gave me a unique insight into the work Durrell and our partners are doing in remote and difficult conditions. The team is saving species from extinction while dealing with the challenges of mosquitoborne diseases, wild elephants, tigers and long uncomfortable road journeys. It’s not for everyone but I love all the excitement of being in the field and being so close to nature - this was a place to which I was determined to return, to bring attention to the fantastic work the small conservation team were undertaking. “This year I returned from a six-week expedition to India where I met the people who have made it possible to reach the incredible milestone of releasing the 100th pygmy hog into the wild. “Durrell is a partner in the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP), directed by Goutam Naryan, a graduate of Durrell Conservation Academy. The PHCP centre in Guwahati is one of the very few places in the world that you can see pygmy hogs. Here hogs are bred and raised in captivity. The Potasali pre-release centre sees them conditioned for release back into the wild. Undergoing a process, with techniques honed over many years, allows baby hogs born in captivity to learn the basics of being a hog from their mothers and siblings in a controlled, supportive and natural environment. In time support is gradually taken away as the older hogs are expected to stand on their own four feet! They must feed themselves on insects, roots and tubers, just as they would in the wild. “Intensive restoration work has been done in Bornardi Wildlife Sanctuary to reproduce the grassland environment
once found there. This beautiful area bordering Bhutan is the very park where the hogs were rediscovered in 1971. “Seeing the 100th hog released back into this sanctuary gave a feeling of coming around full circle. It’s a great example of how scientific evidence together with dedication, planning and hard work can pay off.
Daniel with the Pygmy Hog Conservation Program Centre (PHCP) in Guwahati, Assam.
“Many challenges still lie ahead for the pygmy hog and the PHCP team. Habitat loss and burning of grasslands at the wrong time of year are impacting the last true remaining viable population in Manas National Park. This makes the PHCP’s efforts to produce hog populations in other areas all the more important. Experts from Durrell know how to save this species and we are doing it – working closely with the Forestry Department, talking to communities on the fringe of grassland areas and helping to raise the awareness needed to protect the hog. Extending the current hog range back into its previous range though the Himalayan foothills will also contribute to providing a stronger chance of survival for these unique animals.” You can keep up with Daniel and all things pygmy hog on the dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/ pygmyhogconservation and learn more about Durrell’s work with this diminutive species at www.durrell.org/pygmy-hog 21
Last month saw Dr Andrew Terry, Head of Field Programmes for Durrell, Dr Richard (Rich) Young, Head of Conservation Science, and Jamie Copsey, Head of Learning and Development, travel to Honolulu, Hawaii for the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Held once every four years, the Congress brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from a range of sectors - government, charity, academia and business - all with the common goal of finding solutions to the world’s environmental challenges. During the Congress, Rich co-led a conservation workshop on species recovery programmes with Dr Madhu Rao of WCS Singapore, which brought together leaders from government and donor agencies, the scientific community and conservation practitioners, and provided them with a platform from which to share knowledge, evidence and perspectives. As Rich said, “It is essential that we work together to drive up the standards in species recovery programmes. Durrell has over 40 years experience in delivering effective handson species management, so it was a privilege for this to be recognised at this important international forum by being asked to co-lead this session with the IUCN Asian Species Action Partnership.” The workshop was a huge success. It inspired the production of a conservation handbook that will feature good practice in endangered species recovery programmes and provide guidance for conservationists working across the world. 22
Claudio Valladares-Padua, Founder of IPÊ and graduate of Durrell Conservation Academy
RESTORING AND PROTECTING HABITAT Recently everyone was gripped with Olympic fever, and Team GB undoubtedly did us proud. Durrell also has much to be proud of when it comes to our work in Brazil, and we’ve been breaking records of our own… Together with our local conservation partner, the Institute for Ecological Research (IPÊ), we have been busy planting trees, and after fourteen years of hard work, the largest reforested habitat corridor of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest is now complete. With 1.4 million trees planted, the corridor is more than 700 hectares in extent and links key areas of remnant forest. The aim is to reconnect the remaining sub-populations of one of Durrell’s focal species, the Endangered black lion tamarin. A second corridor is now underway. This work has been supported by Durrell and our Cans for Corridors campaign which converts recycled aluminium cans into cash to fund the reforestation. Since conservation efforts began, the black lion tamarin has been down-listed from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the IUCN Red List – conservation efforts in Brazil, led by our project partner IPE, really are making a difference. The Durrell Index is our flagship tool that measures our conservation performance by monitoring and evaluating what works. This is essential in conservation in order to allocate resources effectively and invest funding into programmes we know will have an impact. Protecting threatened habitats, as well as restoring habitat, is another of our key actions and one of the Durrell Index indicators by which we track progress. To date, across our projects around the world, we have been responsible for placing an area equivalent to 500,000 football pitches under legal protection. To find out more about Durrell’s habitat restoration and protection projects and to learn how we measure our conservation performance visit www.durrell.org/index To learn more about our Cans for Corridors campaign visit www.durrell.org/support/cans/ 23
BEARS ENJOY FAMILY FUN IN THE SUN Our adorable Andean bear cub Raymi is now almost a year old. Born last January Raymi was initially kept with his mum Bahia. During the summer months we decided it was time to introduce him to dad Chui for the first time. Jenna Hunt, Senior Mammal Keeper, tells us more: “We prepared for the mix by allowing Chui to see and smell Bahia and Raymi through the mesh in the enclosure. “A few months later we decided the time was right to introduce all three, once we were sure that Raymi was competent at climbing and running! “For the first mix Chui was positioned so that he wouldn’t block the entrance to the den if mother and cub felt the need to retreat. “As soon as he saw his dad, Raymi ran up the nearest tree! Bahia, however, was calm, and she and Chui licked each other’s noses to say hello. “We have been mixing every day now and Raymi is getting slightly braver. Chui has even attempted to play with him, although the cub was a little perturbed and immediately shouted for his mum!” On the whole the mixes have shown that the bears are happy together as a family, which is wonderful to see again at Durrell.
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Bahia and Raymi
7 White handed tamarin Saguinus leucopus
CONSERVATION OF THE WHITE HANDED TAMARIN A 42 acre area of forest has recently been gifted to National Natural Parks of Colombia for the conservation of the white handed tamarin. This area is of great conservation benefit as it will link two other protected areas. The donation was made possible by the work of the white handed tamarin conservation programme, coordinated by Durrell with Beauval Zoo. A number of European and Colombian zoos support the project, begun 10 years ago, which has undertaken conservation efforts for the species in the wild and in captivity.
workshops and technical visits to help build the captive safety net population, donated equipment and assisted in constructing enclosures for the breeding programme.
We are pleased to have been influential in driving this project forward over the last decade. Durrell is responsible for training six students on the renowned Durrell Endangered Species Management Graduate Certificate, who now work with the tamarin in Colombia. We have coordinated
Now, a studbook is up and running in Colombia (the first ever studbook for any mammalian species in that country), and the white handed tamarin is thriving in captivity with 120 captive individuals, the oldest of which is fifteen.
Ten years on we are proud to say that we have improved the prospects of the species in captivity. When the project started, there were no mother-reared infants in captivity, no coordinated studbook and the average longevity for the species was just four years! Tamarins should live to around eighteen years of age.
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1 5 TH A N N IVERSA RY O F TH E R U MBOLL TR AVE L AWA RD The Rumboll Travel Award is granted each year to a junior member of Durrell’s staff, allowing the winner to undertake fieldwork that will develop his or her conservation skills and career. Established by former Chairman Robin Rumboll and his family, the Award has now been running for fifteen years and has provided many unique training opportunities.
Former Durrell Chairman Robin Rumboll
This year the prestigious prize was won by Bertie Ferns, a Bird Keeper at the Wildlife Park. Bertie’s application was successfully selected from the nine submissions received for the 2016 Award. To apply, each applicant is required to prepare a written proposal giving an outline of the desired project and its aims, as well as an overview of activities planned and the relevance to Durrell’s conservation strategy. A selection panel comprising a member of the Rumboll family, Lee Durrell our Honorary Director, along with the Trust’s CEO, Head of Field Programmes, Head of the Animal Collection and Head of Training, chooses the most worthy recipient. Lucky Bertie is now busy planning an expedition to Sumatra, Indonesia, where he intends to investigate the plight of the threatened Sumatran laughingthrush. Bertie will visit some of the country's bird markets to assess the impact the trade is having on wild populations and will also assist in a rehabilitation and reintroduction project for this rapidly declining species.
“We are very grateful to Robin Rumboll and his family for this continuing Travel Award. It's a fantastic initiative and during its 15 years has provided invaluable early training opportunities to young conservationists, many of whom have gone on to great things, both here at Durrell and further afield.” MARK BRAYSHAW
HEAD OF ANIMAL COLLECTION 26
Rumboll Travel Award 2016 recipient Bertie Ferns
R UM B O L L T R AVE L AWA R DS P R EVI OU S W I NNERS 2016
Bertie Ferns
Indonesian songbirds, Sumatra
2015
Nadine Wรถhl
Amphibians, Madagascar
2014
Melissa Frost
Sumatran orangutans, Sumatra
2013
Rick Jones and Jonathan Stark
Gorilla Guardian programme, Africa
2012
Melissa Frost
Mountain chicken, Montserrat
2011
Gale Glendewar
Black-faced lion tamarin, Brazil
2010
Gordon Hunt
Sumatran orangutans, Sumatra
2009
Philippa Heigl
Mountain coati, Colombia
2008
Ben Tapley
Amphibians, Colombia
2008
Mark Chappell
Education, St Lucia
2007
Elizabeth Corry
Tahiti flycatcher, Tahiti
2006
Gary Ward
Magpie-robin, Seychelles
2005
Alasdair McMillan
Jamaican boa, Jamaica
2004
Jo Louch
Education, Australian zoos
2003
Will Masefield
Livingstone's fruit bat, Comoros
2002
Tim Wright
Giant jumping rat, Madagascar
2001
Andrew Owen
Gurney's pitta, Thailand
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A BUMPER YEAR FOR BATS! The crèche in our Island Bat Roost is filling to capacity with a host of new proud mothers and pups in 2016. 28
This spring we celebrated the flutter of tiny bat wings as a new baby Livingstone’s fruit bat was born in early March. The arrival of the infant was greeted with much excitement, as it was the first Livingstone’s fruit bat to be born in 2016 across the worldwide captive population. So far this year there have been seven births among our furry, flying friends. Three of the pups are on show to the public and getting bigger by the day.
Livingstone’s fruit bats give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of approximately five months. A low birth rate and the fact that the species reproduces quite slowly add to the pressures affecting this beautiful mammal, which has just been up-listed on the IUCN Red list as Critically Endangered. The mother and infant bond in bats is very strong, and within the Island Bat Roost pups stay with their mums for the first few months, clinging on even as the mothers fly and feed. But as the babies grow and become more cumbersome, the mothers begin to 'park' them in crèches with other infants. The first Livingstone's bats arrived at Durrell in 1992, at which point the species had never before been kept in captivity. Today the colony stands at 48 and this captive population helps to ensure that there is a safety net for the species.
A proud mother and her pup
The bats born at the Wildlife Park demonstrate how important the research and continued refinement of the husbandry practices we apply are for this, the rarest mammal species in Durrell’s animal collection.
Fruit bats play an important role in the regeneration of tropical forests, acting as both pollinators and seed dispersers for many plants. Livingstone's fruit bats are therefore vital to the health of the forests of the two islands on which wild populations are found, Anjouan and Moheli in the Comoros archipelago. Unfortunately, there are thought to be less than 1,000 of these giant bats left in the wild. Don’t forget you can join our Ambassador Henry Cavill in helping to save these beautiful bats by adopting Ben or Barnaby - find out more online at www.cavillconservation.com
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REUNITING THE LAST T W O M O U N TA I N C H I C K E N F R O G S U P D AT E A happy ending for our frog fairy tale? Now found only on Montserrat and Dominica, the mountain chicken frog was hit hard by the global amphibian scourge, chytrid fungus. Only one female and one male were left in the wild on Montserrat! Thanks to an overwhelming response from our loyal supporters, an intrepid team led by Durrell’s Jeff Dawson was able to locate the female and introduce her into the territory of the male. Now that may sound simple, but finding a well-camouflaged frog in the dark, over a large area of rocks and boulders, crevices, steep slopes, dense vegetation and numerous hiding places, isn’t easy! The tenacious team succeeded and the lonely female was carefully moved to her new home some 700 metres away.
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The hope now is that the pair will breed, producing precious offspring that will boost the chances of the species surviving on Montserrat. Of course the story is not yet over, and a happy ending cannot be assured. Nonetheless, prospects are undoubtedly better following the team’s fantastic efforts. Let’s hope this is just the first chapter for these two frogs. Finally, a huge ‘thank you’ once again for helping us undertake this romantic rescue mission. Find out more about how we are SAVING AMPHIBIANS FROM EXTINCTION by visiting www.durrell.org/safe
Mountain chicken frog, Leptodactylus fallax
Durrell Ambassador Milo Parker who plays Gerry
Plump the sofa cushions and prepare for series two of The Durrells Sunday evenings became the highlight of our week, when The Durrells hit our screens earlier this year. Based on our founder Gerald Durrell’s classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs, it is the charming and humorous story of Louisa Durrell, who uprooted her four unruly children from Bournemouth to start a new life in Corfu.
Here’s what’s happening in the next series… Larry continues to pursue his passion for writing despite a new romance getting in the way… Leslie decides to explore his entrepreneurial spirit… Margo remains boy crazy and makes a play for someone thoroughly unsuitable… Gerry, who prefers animals to people, is delighted when he discovers an otter living close to home… …and Daniel Lapaine joins the cast as Hugh Jarvis, an English gentleman who sets his sights on Louisa. After her failed engagement to Sven, will Louisa be ready for a new man in her life? And of course we are absolutely thrilled that Milo Parker who plays Gerry in the series is now an Ambassador for Durrell! 31
THE INAUGURAL GERALD DURRELL WEEK JERSEY… Inspired by the Gerald Durrell Week, which runs in Corfu each year, this year’s inaugural Jersey version was the brainchild of Durrell supporter Anne Binney, who had enjoyed the Corfu Week in 2015. Led by Lee Durrell, participants were treated to a packed schedule of activities both within our Wildlife Park headquarters and on various fieldtrips around Jersey. They learnt all about Gerald Durrell’s early years, his conservation philosophy and his legacy. Behind-the-scenes tours of the animal and veterinary departments and the organic farm enabled participants to learn first-hand what is involved in Durrell’s mission to save species from extinction. A B O VE Gerald Durrell with a tapir and Jersey calf in front of the Manor House
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In the company of natural history experts, visits were made to some of Jersey’s most beautiful natural areas, as well as our conservation field projects for redbilled choughs and agile frogs. Back at the Wildlife Park, participants were treated to drinks in Lee Durrell’s private flat and an evening of bat watching within the grounds of the Park. The week also provided opportunities to view and discuss some fantastic old footage of Gerald Durrell television programmes. We’re We’reexcited excitedtotoannounce announcethat thatGerald Gerald Durrell DurrellWeek WeekJersey Jerseywill willrun runagain againon on 15th 15th– –21st 21stJuly July2017. 2017.Places Placesare arelikely likelyto book up fast, so see to book up fast, for www.durrell.org/ further information courses for further information. Make visit www.durrell.org/courses sure yousure don't outmiss by reserving Make youmiss don't out by your place now! your place now! reserving
Other unique gifts for enthusiasts… 27th May – 3rd June 2017
G ER A L D D U R R E L L WEE K CORF U
Based on the magical island of Corfu, the week long course recreates experiences like those of the young Gerald Durrell. We will visit the places of his childhood and study some of the animals and plants he wrote about, all in the company of experts in herpetology, entomology and botany. Please see www.geralddurrellscorfu.org for more information and how to apply.
8th – 10th July 2017
PAS S IO N FO R P R I M ATE S
This three-day course draws upon more than 50 years of Durrell’s pioneering work with primates. Through practical workshops, talks and behind-the-scenes tours with specialist staff, you will have an exciting and memorable introduction to the lemurs, monkeys and apes at Durrell and the conservation work to save them.
23rd – 25th September 2017
B EAU T Y OF B I R DS
This three-day course is aimed at amateur bird enthusiasts. Led by Durrell bird experts, you will learn about bird diversity, ecology and conservation, and gain practical skills in identification, birdwatching and other field skills. Don’t forget gift certificates are available on request, too. For more information see www.durrell.org/courses 33
JOIN
DURRELL
HELP US SAVE SPECIES FR OM EXTINCTION Join today and let us show you the amazing things we are doing to save some of the most threatened species in the most threatened places. For as little as £2.25 per month give today’s animals a tomorrow.
FROM ONLy £2.25
FI ND OUT MORE V ISIT
www.durrell.org/membership
*
per month
*Terms & conditions apply
christmas Gift ideas that save species animal adoptions
SAY HOLá TO BAHIA our Andean spectacled bear
FROM ONLy
£27
Adopting Bahia contributes to her care, and enables Durrell to learn more about the needs of her ‘cousins’ in the Andes helping to further protect this Vulnerable species. With 14 different animal adoptions to choose from… who will you choose?
FIN D OU T MOR E V I SI T www.durrell.org/adopt