Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Jersey Zoo Update 2011

It is a shame that they do not put the animal inventory online. I always looked forward to receiving my copy of the Dodo and at one time had every issue from 1970 to 2001. I got rid of them because of lack of space.
 
I can't understand why they can't put the inventory on line either. Marwell does, and it always makes for interesting reading. Jersey doesn't seem to publicise developments at the zoo at all well. The arrival of the Komodo Dragons and Galapagos Tortoises, for example, was not mentioned in their members' magazine ("On the Edge"), nor on their website. They bred their Dwarf Caiman for the first time in 2009. They remained quiet about that also. In 2010 they acquired several species of tropical freshwater fish for the first time since the early Sixties, including Panchax, but, again, nothing about this in either "On the Edge" magazine nor on the website. It's all very odd. Maybe they are too focused on their in-situ conservation programmes and tend to forget that, whilst we applaud what they are doing on the front line, WE also like to hear news from the zoo, or "wildlife park" as they are calling it.
 
zooman64 said:
. Jersey doesn't seem to publicise developments at the zoo at all well. The arrival of the Komodo Dragons and Galapagos Tortoises, for example, was not mentioned in their members' magazine ("On the Edge"), nor on their website. ... maybe they are too focused on their in-situ conservation programmes and tend to forget that, whilst we applaud what they are doing on the front line, WE also like to hear news from the zoo, or "wildlife park" as they are calling it.
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Jersey have always been guilty of this to some extent, but it seems to have got worse in recent years. I agree that because in situ conservation is what they like to focus on, happenings at the zoo tend to not get publicised as much as they would at other more mainstream places where the zoo collection is the foremost or major concern. But for most visitors, supporters and enthusiasts the 'zoo' is still their main point of contact.

Interesting to know more of the History of the 'Dodo' and Jeremy Mallinson's input. Particularly in the 1970-80's period it was a groundbreaking publication - a scientific publication produced by a 'Zoo'? Maybe that's why it wasn't taken seriously in some scientific circles.

I also let my copies go due to space reasons- rather wish I hadn't now.:(
 
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Still got my copies of 'Dodo' along with many boxes of other Zoo publications , far too much really , but I really do not want to part with it all .
 
Durrell [Jersey] Zoo

I miss the Dodo [still have all my copies], and in fact resigned my Trust membership when it stopped, as I felt I was getting nothing for my membership, and could support conservation in other ways. I'm a member again now, and would not hear a word said against the place, EXCEPT that I feel it is somehow ashamed of being a 'zoo', as if it's not quite a nice thing to be. In situ conservation is and must be the priority, but most of us cannot afford to travel to Komodo, so it's nice to know where we can see a dragon nearer home.
 
I am on record for saying I don't approve of the zoo's name change to Durrell. To me it is, and always will be, Jersey Zoo. That said, I think the present name of the Trust itself is a great improvement over the old name of Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust. The original name always tended to suggest, to the uninitiated, that it was a local conservation group interested only in the fauna of the Channel Islands. The "Durrell Wildlie Conservation Trust" is a much better name. It gives a clearer picture of what the organisation does, that it's concerned with wildlife from all over the world. It serves as a reminder of the founder whose books are still read and enjoyed the world over. And the use of the word "conservation" in the title (rather than "preservation" in the original name) is much more apt (there is a distinction between preservation and conservation, which I'm not going to bore anyone with by going into detail here). However, I do feel strongly that they should have kept the name of the animal collection at Les Augres as "Jersey Zoo". Everyone knew it as Jersey Zoo. Calling the place by the one word "Durrell" is just affectation, and gives the average visitor to Jersey little clue what to expect. (For a similar reason I hate the new name of the Suffolk Wildlife Park - "Africa Alive! - because the name doesn't tell you anyhing.) I've always had a high regard for Jersey Zoo and I'm looking forward to going back there, hopefully later this year, but I do wish they'd realise the public, in general, don't mind the word "zoo". Look at how well Chester Zoo does, and there's a place not ashamed to continue to use the Z-word.
 
February Update

Firstly, the 13 Meerkats have all moved out of the enclosure, leaving just the two new Meerkats and the two Yellow Mongoose. However, they now share the entire exhibit, making it a multiple species enclosure.

Also, the Gorillas will be getting a new heat pump, to provide warmth for the enclosure. Click on the link for more details: Gorillas set a green example | Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

In the Reptile House, no work seems to have been done on the old Rhinoceros Iguana enclosure, which is being renovated for the Komodo Dragons.

The visitors centre is coming on really well, and it seems certain that it will be open in April sometime.

Baby Otters are doing well. Here is a photo on the DurrellKeepers Twitter page: Yfrog Photo : yfrog.com/h5pikjuhpvxj - Shared by Durrellkeeper
 
February Update

Firstly, the 13 Meerkats have all moved out of the enclosure, leaving just the two new Meerkats and the two Yellow Mongoose. However, they now share the entire exhibit, making it a multiple species enclosure.

Also, the Gorillas will be getting a new heat pump, to provide warmth for the enclosure. Click on the link for more details: Gorillas set a green example | Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

In the Reptile House, no work seems to have been done on the old Rhinoceros Iguana enclosure, which is being renovated for the Komodo Dragons.

The visitors centre is coming on really well, and it seems certain that it will be open in April sometime.

Baby Otters are doing well. Here is a photo on the DurrellKeepers Twitter page: Yfrog Photo : yfrog.com/h5pikjuhpvxj - Shared by Durrellkeeper
 
A bit more news from Jersey!

Panther Chameleons have moved into the back enclosure in the Reptile House and the Hispaniolan Sliders have moved out. Also, there is a new species (not sure what) of poison dart frog in the hexagonal enclosure, and also Montserrat Anoles in the same enclosure.

The 6 new macaques are being slowly intergrated into the current group of 5, but I could not see them.

Visitors Centre looks still quite far off, and I can not see them finishing until at least May.

Finally, if anyone would like any photos from the park I am happy to take them and upload them on this site.
 
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Not all the meerkats moved out, it was a group of 12 not 13, a young female was kept and the rest divided up and exported, a new male joined her and they are now mixed with the yellow mongoose.
The two groups of macaques have been mixed for a couple of months and can always be seen together (a group of 10 as the other older male is being exported)
Visitor centre is opening this Monday
Gorilla new heated area is on hold currently due a gorilla export being planned
New area for the komodos was being landscaped and worked on last weekend
 
I do not know... The reason I think that she was going to be swapped is because she had some huge fights with Dana which ended up with Dana having two amputated fingers!

However, Sakina the Gorilla will soon be leaving for Munich :D

Also, does anyone know how old the Maned Wolf female is? (not sure on name...)
 
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The anoles are Martinique anoles, Anolis roquet summus, not Montserrat anoles as previously stated :)

The new dart frogs are Maranon dart frogs, Excidobates mysteriosus.

The wolf is called Eva :)
 
jerseygorilla said:
I do not know... The reason I think that she was going to be swapped is because she had some huge fights with Dana which ended up with Dana having two amputated fingers!

However, Sakina the Gorilla will soon be leaving for Munich :D
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I think Sakina is going to Munster, rather than Munich?
 
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Sakina is going to Munster not Munich.
Also Mawars move was not because of her relationship with Dana, whilst they are no longer mixed because they do not get on great it was not Mawar's fault that Dana lost a couple of fingers. Just as the porcupine export was not because Pip, the youngster, was mobbed by meerkats - Pip was never ever mixed with the meerkats. Please check facts before posting!
New visitor centre opened today.
Eva is 11/12
 
dodogirl said:
Sakina is going to Munster not Munich.
Also Mawars move was not because of her relationship with Dana
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Can you explain why they wanted to move Mawar who seems to be their pivotal breeding female nowadays? Do you know what the plan is now the exchange with Prague is off?

Any new plans to try to get the other Gorillas breeding again? (apart from Sakina's move)
 
dodogirl said:
Just as the porcupine export was not because Pip, the youngster, was mobbed by meerkats - Pip was never ever mixed with the meerkats.
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Well I was told by a keeper that that was why they were moved! and I was told by another member that Sakina was moving to Munich zoo in Germany!

On another note, I went to look at the visitors centre yesterday and it seems very good and much better than the old one!
 
Well both those facts are incorrect, Sakina is going to Munster and Pip was born in the wolf building, she never ever lived in Discovery Desert so could not have been mobbed by meerkats!!
Mawar's move was because all the other individuals get on, Mawar is the problem one so the hope was her move would solve any problems.
No other gorilla plans currently, bar the work on the outside heated area.
 
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