Plaque unveiled to celebrate 100th birthday of Jersey Zoo founder Gerald Durrell

A special plaque has been unveiled today (Tuesday 7 January) to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of world-renowned author and naturalist Gerald Durrell.

Described as a 'champion of all animals', Gerald Durrell founded Jersey Zoo in 1959 and in 1963 founded a trust to oversee it and carry out conservation work around the world.

It was renamed the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust following his death in 1995.

The plaque is on the south side of the Manor House (Les Augrès Manor), located in Jersey Zoo where Gerald lived between 1959 and 1995.

The plaque reads:

Gerald Durrell 1925 – 1995

Celebrated writer, naturalist and conservation visionary, Gerald Durrell lived here at Les Augrès Manor from 1959 until 1995.

Born in India, he spent his formative years in Corfu, which inspired his lifelong mission to save species from extinction.

He founded Jersey Zoo in 1959 and a charitable trust in 1963. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is respected throughout the world as a pioneer in wildlife and habitat conservation.

Behind you lie Gerald’s ashes under the stone of Jersey granite.

Gerald's widow, Lee Durrell, unveiled the plaque surrounded by a number of his close friends as well as some special guests.

Gerald Durrell was born in India in 1925 but spent most of his childhood in Corfu.

It was the memories of growing up on the Greek island which he used to write his much-loved book 'My Family and Other Animals' in 1953.

On its creation more than 60 years ago, the zoo had a four-word mission statement: 'Saving species from extinction'.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is planning several celebrations to honour the legacy of its founder in 2025.

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