Celebrating the remarkable conservation achievements of Gerald Durrell

Issued on Tuesday 28 January 2025, 100 Years of Gerald Durrell: Conservation celebrates the remarkable conservation initiatives of Gerald Durrell, honouring 100 years since his birth in 1925.

Gerald Durrell was incredibly passionate about the natural world and species that resided in it. In his 1966 book ‘Two in the Bush’ he wrote: 

“You cannot begin to preserve any species of animal unless you preserve the habitat in which it dwells. Disturb or destroy that habitat and you will exterminate the species as surely as if you had shot it. So, conservation means that we have to preserve forest and grassland, river and lake, even the sea itself.” 

Born in India 1925, Gerald ‘Gerry’ Malcolm Durrell devoted his life to protecting and preserving wildlife species around the world. He opened Jersey Zoo in 1959 and in 1963 established a charitable trust to oversee the zoo and continue his conservation work. His legacy remains through the work of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in aiding many species. 

Gerald Durrell was an exceptional conservationist, and it is thanks to his love and care for the natural world that many of the species in this issue have been preserved. In his 1972 book “Catch Me a Colobus”, Gerald noted: “Remember that the animals and plants have no M.P. they can write to; they can’t perform sit-down strikes or, indeed, strikes of any sort; they have nobody to speak for them except us, the human beings who share the world with them but do not own it.”

The species that are featured within the stamp issue, include: 

• ·       Alaotran Gentle Lemur                 
• ·       Ploughshare Tortoise   
• ·       Telfair’s Skink 
• ·       Mauritius Kestrel              
• ·       Pygmy Hog 
• ·       Black Lion Tamarin                      
• ·       Mountain Chicken Frog            
• ·       Red-billed Chough  

These species have all been supported by huge conservation efforts, with one of the most successful being the Mauritius kestrel, which in the 1970s was on the brink of extinction with only four known individuals in the wild. Thanks to the restoration work started by Durrell, the species’ population increased. 

Jersey Post’s 100 Years of Gerald Durrell: Conservation stamps and souvenir miniature sheet will be available to buy from all branches of Jersey Post from 28 January 2025. The commemorative issue will remain on sale for two years until it’s taken off sale (28 January 2027).