Thousands flocked to Durrell last summer for a free open day to celebrate the 50th anniversary, but visitor numbers overall are down and savings have to be made
DURRELL is making up to 14 staff redundant as part of a major cost-cutting review to claw back £600,000.
The trust will also reduce the number of endangered species in its care and scale down on its overseas projects.
But this may not be enough to save the Trinity wildlife park, which could still face a deficit of £400,000 even with the cost-cutting measures.
Durrell says that the global economic downturn has caused a drop in charitable support and a decline in visitors. The trust made cutbacks last year, but with an even bigger deficit predicted for 2010, chief executive Paul Masterton said that more had to be done, including cutting ten per cent of the workforce.
Article posted on 19th January, 2010 - 2.58pm
127 Article Comments
If you visit once, then the price for a family of five is over sixty quid. That’s before the café and gift shop.
A family yearly membership is £100 which is good value if you take the children for a walk round the zoo every month.
Perhaps they should consider bringing down the single entry fees to attract the visitors who are over for one visit?
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Durrel is too expensive for locals to visit regularly – around £35 for a fanily of 4.
Instead of reducing prices for locals so they go more often they just increase prices to outrageous levels.
If it was a tenner, and had a decent playground etc. near the entrance, and reasonably priced food & drink then more people would go and take their kids after school.
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Fourteen jobs thrown to the lions. It’s a shame, but it is indicative of the times we live in.
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Reduce your gate fees and more people will go through them, Its not rocket science
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A truly sad day for the JWPT, for the species programs, and for all the dedicated workers, both here and in the field.
May i thank those who will lose their jobs for their hard work and long hours.
The States should step in to help this internationally renowned, and important, centre for species conservation.
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Years ago it was a pleasant day out in nice surroundings with a cafe serving home made cakes.
Like the other chap said its not rocket science.What does a cheif executive do at a zoo….? count the bananas.
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#5 Why should my taxes pay to help this place? The gate price is part of the reason for lack of visitors. I have seen coaches turn up everyone get off go into the entrance then see the cost of admission and half the visitors walk out,
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Reduce the white collar workers and stop paying such obscene rents for a few privileged staff – let them live on site!!!
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Perhap the reduction in visits is due to the fact the people who visit don’t know what Durrell is? Change your name back to Jersey Zoo its what you do.
You can’t conserve species if nobodys coming through the door to pay for it.
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Durrells entry fees are on a par with thouse of French zoo parks and UK attractions such as The Royal Yacht in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle and Blackpool Tower (!) However, whilst these entry fees are paid by thouse on holiday, I guess locals dont bother going to such attractions, and with Jersey’s tourism industry in decline, this stream of income is fast dwindling.
For local families, the annual membership is good value. It is a shame that a number of locals lend out their membership cards, thus depriving the trust of much needed income.
Durrell is one of Jersey’s attractions, and I guess is worthy of support over saving a headland which very few will visit. Clearly times are changing and some drastic re-thinking is required to maintain its future.
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Durrell is great value you try finding somewhere you can spend most of a day with kids for less!
I love Durrell and wish them the best
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I find it utterly tragic that some people of Jersey simply do not know what they have on their doorstep.
That people can respond to such a terrible story about a sad situation by complaining about paying £12.50 entry for an all day experience seeing some unique animals, is just awful.
Your £12.50 goes directly to conservation, if you do not care enough to see the value in that, then we really do live in tragic times.
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To (5) Chris Smith BSc(Env)
If States will not step in to save a States utility, Jersey Telecom that gives money BACK to the states to the sum of seven million pounds plus then WHY do you think it should step in in this case?
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Unfortunately lots of people like myself think Durrell (I don’t think THAT title helps) has shot itself in the foot with it’s entrance fees.It IS keeping people away.
Suggestions to help survival:
1.If locals were given an allowance and/or a special (reasonable) charge for a season ticket, more people would join. I’m sure they’d increase their income.
If I had only to pay £50 a year I’d join and encourage visitors and friends. As it is, the excessive entry charges put me off so I/we just don’t go in the first place.
2.The cafe… could be run by it’s own catering staff and team, instead of being franchised out.If possible employ the ones being made ‘redundant’.
3.Increase interest… get an endangered ‘big cat’ species on the breeding programme.
Whenever I have visited, in Winter everything is inside and in Summer you can’t see anything for greenery……..hence people can feel somewhat cheated when they’ve paid a small fortune, and all they have is to have a fleeting glimpse of fur…if they’re lucky.
I think ‘The Zoo’ (it will always be that to me)has done a wonderful job helping preserve some species and may it continue to do so… but it needs to look at how it can gain income, not what it can save by making cuts.
It has been it’s own worst enemy….hoist by it’s own petard.
Sad times and I wish all concerned good luck.
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This is a complete tragedy!
No.1 Your economies of scale seem to be quite out. If your saying a family of five costs £60 a visit, but a £100 a year for a membership where do you get 1 visit a month to make that worth while. Twice is all need to get your moneys worth.
No.2
£35 quid for afternoon (2/3 hours) out with the family, its hardly breaking the bank! Compare that to £25 AN HOUR for a lane at Jersey bowl.
The Zoo is there for the wild animals, not yours. Why should they build another play ground. There is already a lovely one there.
I fail to see why £10 pounds for an adult is acceptable but £13 isn’t? Whats £3? You can just about get change from that buying a sandwich in town.
Perhaps if public money wasn’t being considered to be used, sorry wasted in buying up someone’s privately owned headland, then the Zoo could get some substitutions going.
But as normal, the people of Jersey want their cake!
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#15, my thoughts entirely.
The majority of the post criticise what Durrell do. If you are so full of ideas why aren’t you employed there?
Instead of complaining, get off your fat backsides; exercise those limbs instead of your mouth and fingers typing posts like you have done. Take your family to Durrell, and even better still, get a membership as I have done for many years now, it is excellent value and cheap. If you are on a budget as I am, pay via monthly by Direct Debit, it all goes to a worthy cause. You may only visit once or twice a year, that’s your choice, but think what your money is doing for Durrell apart from employing staff, the animals can’t feed themselves, if they did you might complain, cause it might be you they are feeding off of.
If the cafe is so expensive, take a pact lunch, it is allowed you know, give it a try, you might even enjoy it and able to crack a smile once through the gates.
I bet most who have written these posts visit the water front and don’t even think twice about the expensive prices they charge there all for a couple of hours of, umm, could you call it fun?
The staff do a fabulous job, but judging by some of the posts here you wouldn’t think so. I do hope Durrell get some help, in turn helping the staff so they can continue to work there.
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Who gets the animals?
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“Perhap the reduction in visits is due to the fact the people who visit don’t know what Durrell is? Change your name back to Jersey Zoo”.
It’s a shame that Helier Clement didn’t phrase his wisecrack “Le Zoo dit Durrell”.
The same group of readers would have got the Joke and the same group of others would still have wondered what he was on about.
So now, could all those ex aristocrats who preferred the status quo before the revolution, please join me in henceforth referring to the place as “The Zoo dit Durrell”.
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Mick – 7 Please provide evidence for your comments. Are you a coach/bus driver who has first hand experience or do you sit there on a daily basis with a clip board keeping stats?
£100.00 a year for a familly membership works out at 7p a day per person, hardly breaking the bank. It equates to 20 packs of cigarettes or 33 pints of beer. I know what I would rather spend my money on.
Warren J is quite right in stating that the entrance fee is comparable with other Zoo’s in France and the UK, but it is of a far better quality then most that I have visited.
I have also been told by the person in charge of admissions that Zoo loses out on thousands of pounds each year by local people fraudulently using other people’s membership cards to gain free entry.
Whilst I admit that I think it was a mistake to change the name to Durrell, I think it would be a tradgedy if the States of Jersey allowed the Zoo to fail. That really would be the final nail in the coffin for the tourism industry.
Jersey will soon realise that you only truly appreciate something when it is gone.
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To give you some kind of comparison, Florida residents can attend Sea World in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa an unlimited amount for around £80 per year. That sort of puts Jersey Zoo’s prices into perspective.
However, I try to justify the breath-taking entry price for the Zoo by thinking of it being a charitable donation rather than an entry price.
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The cafe is really lovely.Its run profesionally,allways clean and the food is good for a cafe.£7.30 for half a roast duck in orange sauce with Jersey Royals and roasted veg(I had it last week)In town similar meal £9.95 !!
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I think the Zoo’s a great place to visit, but it does need to attract more people; those it has lost have been tourists, and the zoo’s management aren’t at fault for falling tourism numbers.
Here’s an idea: Refurbish the Plemont holiday park in the style of Center Parcs, put a glazed dome over the valley to it’s west, and install a pool with chutes etc. and have Center Parcs run and market the development. It would have, IMHO, 80% occupancy all year round, and every guest would visit the zoo at least once during their week in Jersey.
That’s tourism revitalised, and the zoo saved…
You’re very welcome.
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The trust’s entrance fees are on a par with zoos around the world so I don’t see why there is a problem. Granted you don’t get to see the big 3 species but you do get to see and experience many species in as wild an environment as possible.
Jersey zoo has always tried to stand out from the typical “zoo” by showing people what is endangered and what isn’t, what we should be doing to save a species and what we are doing to their habitats around the world.
Unfortunately the problem is that there are too many parasites working for the trust. Too many chiefs and no enough indians, many BIG(on a par with office jobs in town) wages are paid out to directors and office staff alike to keep them happy. In my opinion they should be prepared to take a drop in wages as they are working for a charity.
Not only that but were else in Jersey could you have such fantastic views of exotic animals and a daily basis for free?
Imagine working in an office and things become a little stressful, all you do is take a 5 min walk outside and the stress disappears.
Keepers on the other hand are paid a measly sum of money for the “privilege” of working there and easily do a 60hr week but and are only paid for the standard 40hr!!! No overtime exists but if you are very lucky and jump through many hoops then you might be lucky enough to get a bonus.
In short Jersey Zoo has lost it’s way, it’s become more about earning money to pay the extortionate wages of the fat cat directors and white collar workers than keeping good members of staff and paying the animal keepers/ground keepers wages they deserve.
I really hope we don’t loose the Zoo as it will be a great loss to the island. If the trust needs to save money cull from the top not the bottom!
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Horace 17.
Re: Who gets the animals?
Well, they’ll either have to sell them off as pets or put them to ’sleep’(perish the thought)…because most zoos are in the same predicament and can’t afford to take them in.
So pets it is!
Gorillas might mess up the garden but they are marvellous with children…remember Jambo?
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Sorry for the staff that are affected by this, I don’t doubt that some will be very passionate about their jobs and will really miss working at Durrell. It’s just a sign of the times unfortunately
Since 50% of the profits go directly to Durrell, I wonder how lacking in money Durrell would be without that 50% When I first visited I only remotely queryied the prices till I had the food, it’s more a restaurant than a cafe.
Durrell has the right idea in franchising out the cafe. Catering and wildlife conservation are two entirely different fields, split your attention between those areas and both the food quality and the animals will suffer. I wish tourist attractions in the UK would see the sense in franchising their cafes and provide better catering.
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The problem with both Durrell and the Jersey heritage sites is that they cannot rely on admission fees alone. Perhaps this would have been sufficient when tourism was much bigger, but not now. I am a member of both Durrell and Heritage and go at least once a month with my family.
But the plain fact is these places need to generate more income if they are to become profitable. This means better cafe facilities – and despite the comment above, I think the catering at Durrell is awful: very little that is organic, light or healthy. Given that the main footfall is eco-conscious families with kids, that is madness.
It also means being open to other activities: corporate events on summer evenings, seeking sponsorship from other countries. It is not, for example, clear to me why businesses in Cayman could not sponsor Durrell’s activities in preserving the fauna of Cayman.
But Durrell and the Heritage sites can only prosper if they can extract extra money from those who already visit regularly.
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#23 JL, is that the case? Is the zoo top-heavy? Is it following that nasty trend that really needs dealt with?
#26 Of course you would
I love that you see ‘eco-conscious families with kids’? I thought it was normal, everyday people just visiting because it’s something to see in Jersey.
Society says it wants healthier food but it proves time and time again that it doesn’t, namely in profits. I eat healthily at the zoo, I don’t see why others would struggle. Still cafes could all move to much healthier and more expensive food and worsen the recession.
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Didn’t they create three new enclosures at great cost in 2009. Some of the species are even not endangered. The latest was inaugurated in November. They imported several new species. Now they want to get rid of species. Was this wise or did it lack proper planning or foresight? After all, the economic downturn and the downturn of visitor numbers started long before that!
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The apparent lack of support for Durrell from Jersey residents is quite sickening really when you consider the vast hoards of greedy beggars that queued in cars for hours to get in when durrell had they free entrance day.
That day just went to prove that the interest is there, but the majority are too tight fisted to pay the normal entrance fee.
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They clearly wasted our donations by spending money on producing silly and adolescent video clips for YouTube (see the “funny” gorilla clip). Their YouTube contributions and webpage lack any serious conservation message. The information presented at the zoo also lacks depth. All the talk about saving species is a smoke screen. Compare that with London zoo. This is where our donations will now go. So maybe it’s time that Durrell faces reality and gets extinct.
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Their restaurant contributes to extinctions by serving almost exclusively meat dishes! Stating that they serve sustainably sources tuna is a pure joke! What lost opportunity as there is no truly ecologically sound catering in Jersey. That could have been a major cash income.
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People are saying that the entrance fee is too high for locals….have they thought about the different membership schemes which allow access all year round. These can be paid monthly. For a family of 5 yearly ticket it’s £20 per head per year- unbelievable value. We have had membership for years and have always found it exceptionally good value.
As for the cafe,i understand that Durrell franchised the cafe out some years ago and have no control over the running of the operation in terms of product or pricing.
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Bring in some “star” attractions, like big cats and elephants.
May not be in the true spirit of the whole endangered thing but everyone loves lions and elephants right? … kids will be begging the pants off their parents to go and see them.
Or, here’s an idea, probably illegal, but worth suggesting…
States members not pulling their weight to go gladiator style against large wild animals.
Now that would surely bring in the crowds.
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#31 Michel
I’m sorry, but I went there today and had Poached Farmed Salmon,my mother had Vegetable Lasagne and my son had a lovely Pizza.Better and cheaper than pizza express!!maybe you are on an amazing salary and can afford to fill your shopping trolley with totally organic and eco friendly products.Anyway why are people writing about the catering.I thought this was about 14 people losing their jobs!!??
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#26 mad foetus,
Ask the 90 volunteers (of which I’m one) about the catering.Our Xmas Dinner was and allways is fantastic!!
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Leah,
In your view “society” may want junk food but as someone who probably goes to the Durrell 20 times a year and has never once bought a meal there for any member of my family I can tell you that I don’t.
In general, I would say there are 3 types of visitor to the zoo:
1) Tourists who go once
2) Local non-members who go once every five years
3) Locals, mostly those with kids, who go at least monthly
Now, the zoo is great but most people that go there do so to kill a couple of hours with kids. That is a fact: go to the zoo and count the pushchairs. But don’t let the facts get in the way of your patronising prejudices.
The cafe doesn’t need to serve duck a l’orange. It should sell organic locally sourced soups, ploughmans, wholemeal bread based sandwiches. Instead, it is like a canteen and sells – this is my particular bugbear – cookies from Byron Bay, Australia. What does that say about a sustainable, environmentally friendly business?
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#31 Michel.
“Their restaurant contributes to extinctions” !!Please,are chickens,lamb and pigs on the verge of extinction.If your that bothered,eat before you go at your local eco-friendly,tree huggers veggie restaurant,if there are any on this Island!!??
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So many of these posts confirm a long held view that Durrell should leave Jersey. They should relocate to a place that actively encourages tourism and, perhaps, where local people appreciate their work… instead of offering a constant bombardment of self-interested, ignorant and petty complaint.
The high entrance prices reflect the extraordinarliy high costs involved with being based on Jersey. That isn’t rocket science.
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Lottie #37: It is unfortunate that you do not understand the complexity of these issues. Meat production even in the UK requires lots of soya and other food stuff to be imported. It is also grown where once rainforest grew. On top of thatt, one of the major factors wiping out Brazilian native habitats is meat production (beef for import in the UK and elsewhere). So your excess eating of chicken, lamb, pork and beef contributes directly to extinctions. Nothing to do with tree huggers. Clearly, Durrell has failed in it’s attempt to educate you about why saving species from extinction is important and increasingly urgent.
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I agree with a previous poster.
Maybe some more “interesting” endangered animals would be a crowd puller. There are only so many small monkeys, birds and frogs I can see before boredom sets in.
The Zoo is a fantastic place and I love the way it has evolved over the years to move away from animals in cages, but there are large endangered animals too. Tigers and Polar bears amongst others. Conservation isn’t just about saving endangered species so why can’t Jersey Zoo (don’t want to call it Durrell) take some of the uncared for animals away from struggling zoos and wildlife parks too.
I would happily pay £20 entry if there was a Tiger or Lion living in relative contentment inside a tastefully and humanely built enclosure.
Also, what more are these “executives” doing to encourage other forms of business. The Zoo would be a lovely place to hold a function, wedding or the like…..and would be a good source of income. How about a good quality restaurant overlooking one of the more interesting enclosures?
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“…Durrell should leave Jersey. They should relocate to a place that actively encourages tourism …”
Wise words, Matt. #38
The current site could then become a Wealth Conservation Trust featuring an Interactive Finance Experience. This would give children a good grounding in playing with Hedge Funds.
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The party is over. Tourism is on its knees and the local economy is suffering from the global down turn. Jersey Zoo, or rather its fancy name Durrell, has been losing money for years. They asked Jersey States for £6 million but didn’t get it. Their PR is useless. If they are really committed to saving endangered species they would reallocate to a much cheaper place where more animals can be saved. Perhaps the name change was designed to facilitate just that. They have already indicated that they might move. Me and family loved Jersey Zoo and had family membership for many years. My kids achieved Gold dodo membership. But the last few years the place has lacked inspiration and looks lacking for animals. Beginning of the end ? Pity for reality !
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As a fairly new resident to Jersey, I am astounded at a number of comments. It is called Durrell because without this man’s vision and tenacity, Jersey would not have such a precious gem. Durrell Conservation Trust is doing great work globally and is something for which all Jersey residents can hold their head up high.
It is a shame that it’s good work is not truly understood here and more unfortunate that most people in the world do not know that Jersey exists never mind has such a high calibre of a conservation program. I think Durrell needs to a far better job of P.R. and reaching out for donations on a global scale.
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Try making it a resonibly priced family afternoon out, not the over priced “attraction” it is.Why not drop admission prices for a month, what have you got to loose ?
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#39 Michel
Soya with my meat?? We own a farm here.We kill an animal,be it beef ,lamb or chicken.We butcher and prepare it and in 35 years we’ve never heard of using soya.Can I just ask you do all your clothes,shoes and household things come from Jersey.Please get a life,try leaving Jersey for a bit to see how the world works outside of this Island
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BS Delux #40:
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth’s biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction.
It’s not all about the Tigers, Lions & Elephants. Jersey Zoo doesn’t need to concentrate on them because 90% of zoos world wide hold these types of species If you want to see them then go somewhere else.
All endangered animals bred in captivity within zoos are part of a worldwide breeding programme. 2 studbooks are held per species and this person decides which animals move about to breed. This is done to keep genetics as diverse as possible and so that in the event of a disaster there is more than enough species held within the captive “safety net” population to re introduce.
To PROPERLY house large species that many have mentioned without risking stereotypic behaviour would take more space and staff than Jersey Zoo currently owns/has. The zoo does it’s best with the space available.
As for comments on “over grown cages”, what would people rather see? A happy contented animal in an environment as close to that species natural habitat as possible or a sad animal in a bare cage?
NO CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!!
To all those people who think the cages are “over grown”. Spend 5 minutes just standing still and quiet at any of the “over grown cages” listening and watching and if the weather isn’t bad I PROMISE you will see something. These are wild animals you know?!
Try not to forget that a lot of the species at the Zoo are New World from very tropical conditions. Why would they want to sit outside in the pouring rain or if it’s cold outside? Would you?
One last thing, contrary to popular belief the animals are given access either inside or outside an enclosure, on-show or off-show it’s down to them to choose.
They aren’t there for peoples amusement.
They are there as ambassadors to educate us all.
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#43 Pam: ” It is called Durrell because without this man’s vision and tenacity, Jersey would not have such a precious gem.”
Very true, Pam.
They could have called it ” The Gerald Durrell Zoo” “Durrell’s Zoo” ” The Durrell Zoo” but, no, they went for the silly sounding “Durrell”.
Consequently many people still, unsurprisingly, call it The Zoo. Not even “Jersey Zoo”, as it is fairly obviously not in Guernsey.
Surprisingly a fair number of posters on here apppear to like calling it “Durrell”. For me it’s “The Zoo”.
Must find time to go to “Aspinall” to see the lions or perhaps “Scott” to see the ducks!
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What a very sad week for conservation it is. Not only because of the predicament the zoo is in, but because of the frightening ignorance people still suffer from.
I thought thanks to proper education these days and the variety of documentaries on TV, a leafy, green enclosure would be taken as a naturalistic environment within which a contented animal resides. Maybe some parrots on bicycles and a performing monkey might entertain some of you better…
The keepers that look after these animals have dedicated their life to trying to save, quite frankly in desperation, the beautiful animals the world is losing. For a pathetic salary, and not much thanks it seems, they work hours very few people would ever consider. Reading these comments tonight will break their hearts.
It is shocking that people shy away from paying such entrance fees to spend a whole day in such surroundings, where they should feel priveleged to see the animals they are. The same people who don’t raise an eyebrow when paying similar amounts on a night to the cinema, bowling, going out to dinner, buying alcohol…
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here we go again,while i agree prices to get in, are steep.i myself with my family always renew our yearly membership.have done since 1990.we live in the uk,so only visit when we come over every year.this money is well spent as we spend hours there.how many more places are to end up like past tourist attractions and close.the recession as hit everyone,tighten your belts but dont get rid of our lovely animals.we must not let this happen.
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Come on guys pull urself 2gether its only the resecion that is making u go down hill. Dr Lee Durrell will not let her late husband’s work go down hill without a fight. u need 2 keep urself going. iv been a member since 1990 wen i was a baby in arms and me and my family renew our membership year after year and we live in england. im now 19, 20 in febuary.wen we go over 2 jersey we go 4 to 5 times and that is in a space of 3 weeks and also my mum goes over in april/may time also goes @ least 5 times in a space of 3 weeks. my parents hav brought me cuddly toys from the zoo shop this includes 14 black an white ring tailed lemurs. also we have broght varies other items from their shop including fridge magnets, pens, rubbers, pencils, jigsaws and keyrings. this year wen i go over in october i will b buying the 50 years aniversay t-shirt. wot mite help is lowering the entrace price 4 the locals so more locals can go more times during the year.but dont get rid of our animals and LETS STOP DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST GOING UNDER. Jersey will not b the same without it. xx
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#36 Results of reports from medical bodies are patronising prejudices? “What does that say about a sustainable, environmentally friendly business?” It survives? Surely most of the products have to come from Jersey wholesalers, I can’t imagine there is much other option. So would the wholesalers not be the ones that needed to meet your sustainable, environmentally friendly criteria?
Anyway, I thought it was the zoo that needed help, they’re the ones that aren’t surviving?
#43 What’s happening is a real shame, but it must be expensive for them to be here, and an island greatly limits your footfall. Still I heard a lot of French visitors when I took friends over the summer. As for global donations, maybe this is one Jersey story that could do with national media coverage?
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For those people who want a zoo just go out and buy a hamster which you can watch running around on his wheel-poor little thing.Wild animals such as elephants,tigers and lions are not actually meant to live in a cage for people to gawp at and small children to scream at.Durrell Trust is a conservation area-surely the difference is obvious.There are so many daft comments on this thread it is sad that people do not seem horrified that the best and practically only worthwhile “attraction” in Jersey is in trouble.
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Oops, I left a couple of names out.
“The Gerald Durrell Wildlife Trust”, “The Durrell Wlidlife Preservation Centre” or similar.
I was too busy thinking of the place as a zoo, which it is not. Is it?
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Further to Louise’s (48) comment, I can understand why you’re angry at the perceived ignorance of people offering comments on here, but I think people are just explaining why they don’t go to Durrell. They’re not belittling the place or the staff. I know that you shouldn’t class animals according to how interesting or exciting they are, but I’m afraid that people are far more interested in seeing a tiger rather than meerkat. Therefore, if we want Durrell to survive, it might be a good idea to bring in some more “interesting” animals. Just a thought.
Also, the name Durrell does not do them any favours. Of course it’s in recognition of Gerald Durrell’s work, but I’m afraid that when my friends and relatives come over here on holiday, they have no idea what the place is until I explain it to them. Unfortunately I assume this awful name was due to some marketing guru’s obsession with minimal names, eg (Mourant, du Feu and Jeune – Mourant, Bedell & Cristin – Bedell Cristin, Ogier & Le Masurier – Ogier etc, etc). Why? Do they think that people have such short attention spans now that they can’t remember names with multiple syllables or punctuation?
How about Durrell’s Animal Conservation Park or something similar? Oh no, WAY too long a name.
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Leah,
If the Zoo cafe sells cookies from Australia, it is not the fault of the wholesaler. The wholesaler meets a demand: although you are, as we all know, a genius capable of working in any number of highly paid fields, commerce isn’t one of them.
If I was the Zoo I would embrace Genuine Jersey and find a cookie maker on the Island. The whole point of the zoo is to try to educate people to live in a sustainable, considerate way that respects the environment.
But no, you know best. It really should be about selling burgers and chips to plebs because that’s what the wholesalers have.
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I heard Ya’Kwanza got a J Cat… AND he wasn’t wearing a cycle helmet when he was on his bike.
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This is Jersey, stick a pub in there and the place will be flooded
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Unfortunately the name “Durrell” conjures up cold the image of some impersonal conglomerate and does nothing to describe the underlying product or cause. Locals and tourists still think of it as Jersey zoo or Durrells Wildlife preservation park.
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Perhaps 57 has been in too many pubs and his grey matter is somewhat drenched….
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hmm mad foetus.. I think you’re confused. from all accounts I guess Leah would be perfect at commerce as it is all about supply and demand isn’t it (otherwise we would all be buying british made products like the old days)? anyway, i really don’t think local cookies is going to save the world. I think you must have just had a bad experience with the cafe as clearly others have not – it happens i’m sure. It is funny the other comment moaning about the food when they go to “Durrell 20 times a year and has never once bought a meal there for any member of my family”.. why are you talking then?
Can we please focus our attention to the fact that 15 people are loosing their jobs, this is what this is about is it not?
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#55 And here I thought that was you! Still can we stop the bullying and look at the matter at hand?
Why don’t you try and find a maker and suggest it to them? Or maybe the makers could promote their product? That’s if there is anyone making such a product. I trust that the ingredients for most products sold in Jersey cafes are sourced in Jersey, I really don’t see the need to entirely limit the customer’s choice to ONLY Jersey products, sometimes the Jersey product just isn’t as good and to only source in Jersey would be letting the customer down. I guess the one thing I do know about commerce is that the customer actually matters!
#54 Bob, so very true. And when it comes down to a recession you really get to see that people (naturally I guess) care more about the human race than about other species. It is a shame when animals become extinct but it does eventually happen to all species does it not? Someday that will include humans.
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I holiday in Jersey several times a year and have taken out membership paid by monthly direct debit. I think its great value and visit often, sometimes only to have lunch in the cafe or a quick stroll round the grounds. I like to think of the charges as a donation to a charity. How about a “weekly” ticket to encourage holiday makers to visit more than once?
Or relocate the “zoo” to Plemont, theres an old building there in need of renovation and rare puffins with no where to stay!!
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As a staff member, and therefore one of those in danger of losing their job this week, and yest also as a true life long member of Durrell and the work we do and all we stand for, I am shocked and hurt at some of the comments on here. People are going to lose their livelihoods this week and all you can moan about is entry prices, playgrounds and food! And there I was thinking that we had lovely people in Jersey, I think this just proves that however much you blame the drop in tourism a huge problem the zoo faces is the attitude of the locals
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@MK2K #62
“…I think this just proves that however much you blame the drop in tourism a huge problem the zoo faces is the attitude of the locals”
I disagree, I think that most locals(and non-locals alike) wish the zoo all success, and nobody wants to see workers made redundant, but some of the criticism is valid, and I DO think that the zoo’s biggest problem IS the fall in tourism.
And that I’m afraid is a hard problem to fix, and while I’d love to support the zoo and it’s employees; I do not want to see it become heavily subsidised by the tax-payer. I think the best idea I’ve heard in a while is above, regarding the sponsorship by foreign governments or communities of ‘their’ fauna.
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We have been going to Jersey for many years and the high light of trips are going to Durrell.
What a remarkable man he was and what foresight he had, and a wonderful legacy he left us all. We have all his books, many purchased at Durrell and some signed by the lovely Lee Durrell. Surely Jersey can find that small amount to help the world renowned organisation to continue this wonderful work for our future generations and well done to all that have toiled for little to keep the dream alive.
Come on Jersey wake up and smell the coffee- this is your star attraction.
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The real problem is not with Durrell/The Zoo but with the Jersey tourist trade. We are getting less and less visitors don’t you know!!!
Solution:
Bring back our Breda!
Sell it at half price.
Tourists will return to island for cheap beer.
More visitors are then likely to visit Zoo.
Zoo workers will keep their jobs.
Monkeys will get their nuts.
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Its not the lack of tourists or visitors what cut the jobs off… its the new enclosures for non endangered species and the bad business management. Do they really need to feed and keep non endangered animals to save species from extinction? Do they really care about conservation? Do they care about their staff? Doesn’t look like…
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46
Are you missing the point?
You say “It’s not all about the Tigers, Lions & Elephants. Jersey Zoo doesn’t need to concentrate on them because 90% of zoos world wide hold these types of species If you want to see them then go somewhere else.”
a) Have you considered that many zoos are in danger of closing due to lack of funds and so may be neglecting their more expensive animals. Also, 90% of the worlds zoos may indeed hold these animals…. but we are talking about Durrell here not other zoos.
The Tiger, Jaguar and many other big cats are near extinction and high priority, the plight of the polar bear is distressing to say the least.
If Durrell were to re-introduce big cats and some other larger, threatened animals into Jersey in suitable enclosures then they could also set-up adoption programmes to earn extra income for the animals welfare and preservation – just like the Born Free Foundation does. I would rather adopt a big cat or bear than a poisonous frog! Also people may then frequent the zoo more often to actually see their adopted animals which would generate even more income….I know I would. Then there is other merchandise which could be generated……..
b)I (and I’m sure many others) have gone “somewhere” and seen them in their own habitat………without cages. I would not like or pay to see these animals couped up in cages going stir crazy…it’s inhumane!
Your are seriously missing the point of this article if all you can say is go somewhere else……..the point is people ARE going somewhere else.
Durrell should be encouraging more people to visit by any means possible.
Maybe Durrell would create more interest from the paying public if it were to diversify it’s portfolio of animals because as I see it there is an excessive concentration of miniature frogs, small birds and monkeys.
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Let’s go back to the problem.
The problem is lack of money. How do they increase the amount of money the zoo gets. As far as I can see, the most obvious way is to try to maximise the spend per existing visitor.
I think the opportunity to increase the number of tourists is limited.
Islanders are either members of the zoo who go frequently or non-members who may go once every 5-10 years (or when there is a free entry day).
So the only way to increase income is to try to get more money from members. I bought the kids sponsorship of a gorilla and a lemur for Xmas. I do my bit because I think Durrell is fantastic.
Where I think it goes wrong is at the cafe and shop, because those are its opportunities to gain extra income. The Jersey Heritage sites have exactly the same problem. You either get more income from those opportunities, find other opportunities, get corporate or government sponsorship, or else you get smaller.
All I can say is that I go to the zoo all the time (I live near it and have young kids) and I rarely buy anything at the cafe other than a carton of fruit juice or in summer, an ice cream. I am offended by the fact that the animals are given fresh, organic produce that is grown on site and yet the people are offered junk food, shrink wrapped, pre packed and shipped in from half way across the world.
The zoo has an educational aspect and emphasises the damage caused to wildlife by deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia: it isn’t too much to expect its own cafe to ban products containing Palm Oil and Hydrogenated fats, is it?
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MK2K People moaning about the prices and amenities are all factors that the marketing people at Durrell should have picked up and acted on. I held a Jersey Zoo family membership for many many years which was seldom used and when it was this would always be out of season when things were quiet. When the price of membership was hiked up (at the same time as many in Jersey saw a fall in their incomes) like many others I cancelled it.
In your second comment you mention the “lovely people in Jersey” and indeed we were all proud of Jersey Zoo. Changing the brand to Durrell in my opinion broke this link and indeed in my mind conjures up an image of a large corporate conglomerate, not the friendly wildlife park of old.
Over the last couple of years my family have made regular visits to a zoo in France. It has loads of activities for the kids, a fabulous restaurant and bar overlooking many of the enclosures which are separated by natural barriers and water features. Every time we have visited the place has been mobbed so there must be a good future if you can get things right. Reading their literature they appear totally dedicated to preservation with loads of projects all over the world.
I sincerely wish all the staff at Jersey Zoo and indeed Durrell well for the future.
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This is not about entrance fee or number of tourists in the Island. Is about a bad business vision and new buildings for animals that are not even under threat of extinction. If they have saved the money of the buildings and dealt better with their assets, they would not be destroying 14 families.
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MK2K.I am sorry that you find yourself in the position you are in but reality shows that this has been coming for some time. Times and this island have changed in many ways and we have to deal with the consequences. I was made redundant 3 times in lifetime and each time it provided me with new opportunities to learn other skills so don’t despair
I would love to know the salaries of the top management at Durrells as I suspect one of the reasons they try to stick to Jersey for their headquarters could be their comfortable lifestyle here but I might be wrong.
There is no question in my mind that Durrells should sell all their valuable land and move to a place where they can afford more endangered species which is, after the reason for their existance and I am sure the trust will be forced to do this in the future. Having said this Durrells does have value for the island’s economy as it is one of a very few attractions to attract much needed tourists. If it goes all we can sell is “natural beauty” which isn’t anough. Therefore a limited of States subsidy wouldn’t be out of place if it meant keeping it here. Durrell has said it will reduce the number of animals. During the last couple of years I seem to have noticed a reduction already. This is a downward spin and the beginning of the end
Less animals should mean less entrance fees = less revenue and so on. The future will tell
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Its been a long week at Durrell,and its going to be worse next week. To read these comments is hurtful, I hope most of you feel ashamed.For those who loose their jobs in the next week, especially if it is keepers or specialized conservation staff and yes suprise – suprise some of them locals, what on earth will we/they do?
Durrell day was both fantastic and devastating for us, great to see Durrell full of people having a fantastic time,enjoying our fantastic animal ambbasadors in as natural habitat as we can possibly give them, yet gutting to see the place empty, full of litter, with nothing to show from it…where are you now????
Please do think of us tomorrow and next week, it will be too late for us chosen 14 by then, but not too late for Durrell, (Jersey Zoo) if you can find it in your bank balance to support the real cause…Saving Species from Extinction.
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We have a brilliant new CEO who is getting to grips with the workings of Durrell,( and no I am not white collar, nor up in the top ranks) The three new enclosures were planned to get more people in and refresh the site, and it has worked to an extent.. thanks all who have visited! Meercats are there to encourage more people in who dont know Durrells mission…. but hopefully we may just inpire them enough to join as a valued member?, Meercats are also a species very similar to the Narrow stripped mongoose from Madagasgar which are greatly endangered, so we are learning so much from managing them, far better than to learn from non endangered than endangered dont you think?and boy are they thriving! The remaining cages, even new enclosures are full of plants to entice the animals out and to encourage natural behaviour, better a happy animal than a timid animal quivering in their warm comfly shed with all those eyes on them, than locked out for all the visitors to see…what would the headlines read then, and could we sleep at night, absolutely not! Be patient, quite and they will come out unless its a really cold day, then who could blame them for staying in?
So much can be done now by the public airing their views, we the staff need your comments aired in these worrying times, maybe a little more public to ensure we the staff on the ground and elsewhere within Durrell can continue to carry out Gerald Durrell’s Mission.. ‘Saving Species from Extinction’ for many years to come, or at least as long as Durrell is needed?
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#74, Meercats are not endangered and certainly not from Madagascar. Ask the experts if you still have any!
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I agree with most of the comments about the entrance fee being far toomuch money for a family.Instead of cutting the work force and getting rid of some animals they should have looked at the price of the entrance fee.If they cut the price more visitors would come through the door and the problem would be solved.Get a grip on life please cutting jobs is not the answer!!
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Louise and Maybe One of 14, I think you’re misunderstanding the intention of the majority of comments here. You say that the comments are hurtful to you, those people whose jobs are under threat, but we are on your side. We don’t want you to lose your jobs and we want Durrell to thrive. We’re just giving our opinion as to why we think Durrell has lost its popularity.
Sometimes those people who are closest to the problem (the staff and management) are those who are least likely to be able to see a solution. It helps to have a fresh pair of eyes, which is what we’re trying to give you.
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I agree completely with Maybe one of 14, A lot of these comments are very hurtful to the people it may affect and some comments have nothing to do with the JEP article itself! Don’t forget the affected few more than likely have nothing to do with management decisions and pricing policies etc. I guess these are the types of comments you expect when the ‘great unwashed’ have access to the internet.
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Mad Foetus, you’re all heart. Think of the workers that have just found out they have lost their jobs and direct your cafe comments to the appropriate people, there are customer comment cards if I remember rightly. The cafe can’t make any money when no-one is coming through the door, and everyone else on here seems to recognise that footfall is the main issue! It’s all sounding like some personal grievance, and certainly doesn’t resemble the cafe that I (or clearly others) visit at all.
As for those that abuse the membership card, I hope they are feeling suitably guilty.
Sorry to those who have received the bad news this morning, I hope you all find alternative employment quickly. I have had few personal dealings with the animal workers among you, but those that I have spoken to have been friendly, passionate and knowledgeable. I have used the shop many times (I can’t seem to leave without something grabbing my attention) and love its choice of goods, and the friendly staff and volunteers. I’m sure I’ll notice some missing faces when I next visit.
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I do think it is disgraceful how many people would go to Durrell on the open day and yet not otherwise pay to go in.
It is a fantastic attraction: while I am critical of aspects of its business plan, there is little excuse for Jersey residents to not be members of Durrell.
Those who complain about the price should compare it to other forms of entertainment: how do the membership fees compare to a concert ticket, a subscription to Sky etc? become a member, go at least once a month and each visit for a family costs about a fiver. What’s to think about?
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We have an annual membership and often take our daughter there just for half an hour or so to have a picnic and see what the meerkats and reptiles are up to. Unlike other places, they have no problem with you taking a packed lunch.
Mike (75) I think you need to re-read the original post as that is not what he said at all. He claimed that meerkats are similar to the Madagascan endangered species and suggested that it’s perhaps better to study a non-endangered species which has similarities, rather than the endangered species itself.
My commiserations go to the 14 unfortunate individuals and wish them the best in obtaining new employment.
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@66 – Richie B
I hardly think the type of person to go on holiday with the aim of finding cheap Breda is the sort of person who would pay the entrance fee, or evan be interedted in going to Durrel/The Zoo and I certainly wouldn’t want that sort of person encouraged to come to Jersey.
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It should be remembered that the cafe is franchised to the same people who run the Fregate and Elizabeth castle…
Everyone is complaining about the price for a single entry……why not take out membership and have unlimited use all year round….you can even pay monthly…
I think rather than be negative we should be putting together letters of constructive advice to management of the zoo as to how we feel we think things can be improved and so help attract more new and repeat business rather than making flippant comments
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I think this forum has become very enlightening regarding the way islanders regard the work of the trust – if Durrell cannot find support in its own community how on earth can they inspire the world to make any kind of significant progress in “saving species from extinction”.
The zoo should not be saved for its own sake – only if it can prove itself to be an effective conservation body – there are plenty of worthy charities out there – once its proven its metal I believe the community of jersey will be proud to be associated with it- so far i think it has failed but maybe there is a chance things can be turned around – lets hope we can regain the support of the jersey people through honouring Gerald Durrells original mission and not basking smuggly in his reflective glory.
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To mike 75
74 doesn’t need to ask the experts – you do. He is trying to explain the fact that Meerkats have been brought in as a model species for the ‘vulnerable’ as listed by the Red Data List, narrow striped mongoose
To Bob Fleming
I’m not misunderstanding anyone. People are obviously giving their opinion and reasoning. I in turn am giving mine. People have stated they would prefer to see more in the way of enigmatic,entertaining animals while also paying less. That is a tragic mindset to have and goes a way to explain why the earth is following the path it is.
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The zoo will most likely close down. Think of all the space Dandara could have!!!How about adding a theme park to the site with rides like they do in zoo parks in florida?……..solved!!!!!!!!!how easy was that!!!
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Being critical of a lack of support within Jersey is unfair. We have a population of 90k, that’s half the population of Southampton. We are an island, so people can’t make an off the cuff decision to drive an hour for a visit, unlike Monkey World in Dorset for example. Tourism has virtually died, so the numbers visiting our island will not sustain it anymore. The demise of Jersey zoo is not the fault of locals, it’s the fault of the States, who for many years have seen finance as being more important to our island than tourism
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It sounds as if many people who have commented would rather have a “zoo” filled with caged wild animals who perhaps could be poked with a stick every hour to make them roar and be “entertaining”Never mind trying to protect endangered species who don’t have any cute little habits or do tricks on command.I repeat what I said in my earlier post-Durrell is the best and one of few worthwhile attractions in Jersey.Don’t let it go.Sympathies also to the people losing their jobs.Perhaps if you had worked at Woollies you would be getting more respect!
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One way of showing support for Durrell is to go and buy a ticket for one of their pantomime performances next weekend of Swan (Lemur) Lake. It is always highly entertaining and contains a serious conservation method. Performances are on Friday 29th Saturday 30th and a matinee performance on Sunday 31st. Tickets can be bought from the Durrell Visitor Centre and whilst you are there why not buy a familly membership. A familly membership works out at 7p a day per person. Now thats what I call a bargain.
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If the zoo does close it will be another long line of disasters for jersey.
They killed the goose that laid the golden egg long ago and with no plan B they have no-one to blame but themselves for the loss of tourists.
Who want,s to come here on holiday?
Nothing to do and nowhere to go at night or days.
They should go on a jolly to Weymouth to see how tourism is run.
Plenty of entertainment and places to go,being it is about the same size of St.helier.
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Thank you Louise and Hobgoblin.Please support the Swan lake panto next weekend, you will not only be supporting Durrell but also the people who have lost their jobs, as may of them are in it.
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Julie 88 & Louise 85
Your comments are pathetic at the very most or misjudged at the very least!
No one on here (as far as I can see) has condoned or even asked for caged “entertaining” animals.
We are simply stating there are more “interesting” animals for the VIEWING & PAYING public to see which are also ENDANGERED too.
Did you know that in 1900 there were over 1 million Lions in Africa…now less than 25000?
No one even knows how few mature breeding Leopards there are in the world!
In 1900 there were over 100,000 African Cheetahs, but now as little as 12,500!
There are only 100 Asiatic Cheetahs left in the world.
In 1900 over 100,000 Tigers, now less than 4000.
These creatures are captured and neglected in zoos or hunted for their furs or simply because man has encroached on their hunting ground.
They deserve to be protected and preserved too and I would like to see Durrell work harder to bring them to Jersey where they could be well looked after. The public, I’m sure, would respond well and everyone would be a winner!
What is wrong with that!?
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As stated by many of the people above, Tourism has died. The States have bowed down to the short term cash cow of finance and now are reaping the rewards. Gone forever are the ‘golden days’. The Island has fallen way behind the rest of the World, there are none of the attractions here the modern traveller expects, couple this with ludicrously high travel cost and it has acted as a very efficient means of killing Tourism.
Well done all involved. As usual the States and Tourism are now trying to act 20 years too late. By putting all their eggs in one basket they have put the Island in an untenable position. If the Finance sector does decline, with no real second sting to the bow,the Island will become bankrupt. Huge negative equity on all Mortgages, massive unemployment – game over for Jersey.
I expect the States will go cap in hand to the UK and asked to be bailed out, maybe just maybe they will help, but then again why should they when the Island has fleeced them to the tune of X million over the years- Health care etc.
The demise is gathering pace, high unemployment and there are less Poles and other migrant workers here, they are all moving on to greener pastures where they can see a better future.
It is very sad the Zoo or ‘Durrell’ is to shed jobs, but sadly its indicative of the modern world and lack of investment generally that has beset Jersey.
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“lets hope we can regain the support of the jersey people through honouring Gerald Durrells original mission and not basking smuggly in his reflective glory”
Whilst Durrell does like to brag about their amazing conservation acheivements of decades goneby (and lets face it who wouldn’t), please don’t think that they sit back gathering cobwebs hoping one man’s reputation will save the day! 15yrs since GD’s death and Durrell has taken on many new overseas projects as well as forging on with the old. Saving a species doesn’t happen overnight but with help from charitable organisations such as Durrell the process can be accelerated. Just try googling a few of the below:
Madagascar pochard, Montserrat mountain chicken, Floreana mockingbird, Galapagos mangrove finch, Seychelles magpie robin, Mountain coati, Black lion tamarin, Montserrat Oriole, Montserrat Galliwasp, St Lucia Whiptail Lizard, St Lucia Parrot, White-breasted thrasher, St Lucia iguana, Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, Telfair’s skink, Durrell’s night gecko, ploughshare tortoise, assam pygmy hog, hispaniolan solenodon,….not to mention the self funded trips and voluntary local wildlife surveys Durrell keepers participate on.
http://blog.durrell.org
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I’ve worked at Jersey Zoo (now Durrell) as a volunteer for 8 years and am deeply saddened to read the negative comments about our Wildlife Conservation Park. There are 184 of us and we work so hard to bring endangered species to the attention of the people and visitors to Jersey….and will continue to do so, as long as we are able…..
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#95 St Clement Girl
“here are 184 of us ” isn’t that part of the problem here. Too many people for such a small zoo?
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If the Zoo really is facing closure, then all Islanders who derive at least part of their income from tourism (be it from hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, other attractions, taxis, ferries/airlines, etc.) should be very worried.
Like thousands of others, we’ve only ever visited Jersey because of the Zoo; Gerald Durrell’s books have been read by millions and really put Jersey on the map. Let’s face it, Devon & Cornwall have miles of equally beautiful cliff paths, the weather is the same so what else is special enough to warrant the journey?
Jersey Tourism recognize this, as invariably the Zoo features in its ads in the UK. So tourism has to some extent been getting a free ride from the Zoo for decades. Maybe it’s time for say 1% of rates from tourism-related businesses to go to improve the Zoo in recompense, rather than straight to the States’ coffers?
If the Zoo is allowed to go under, the rest of tourism will surely follow. And the EU-wide clampdown on secret accounts in offshore banking means that Jersey must retain and expand its tourism if it’s to avoid the collapse of its economy.
Oh, and in the meantime, some advice to the Zoo’s administrators based on the above posts – 1. demand proof of ID for entry with membership cards, and 2. don’t hold any more free open days!
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I was totally underwhelmed by Durrells. As far as I could see there was less than 10 animal attractions. I imagine someone will tell me that gorillas are endangered and possibly so are orangutans – but Meerkats and Fruitbats?
Hardly the world class exprience the hype led me to believe – all the zoo’s in the UK I have visited London, Chester, Bristol, Paignton were better by at least a factor of 10 times.
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Thank you BS Deluxe for your opinion of my opinion!The point I am trying to make is that it is NOT a zoo and if people are taking young children to be entertained then they will be disappointed and grumbling about the cost of everything as they feel they didin’t get their value for money.The grounds are beautiful but people won’t pay that much just to be able to have a picnic or walk so unless you are really interested in seeing/reading all the info about the endangered species then it is not going to attract you.As already pointed out Jersey has falling visitor numbers too so that doesn’t help either.
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Having read Paul Mastertons interview in Saturdays JEP, I share his surprise that there are so few local members compared to the 5,000 overseas visitors.
Regarding the comments regarding entry fees, for locals, a standard membership is only £40.
I accept that Durrell may not be a traditional zoo, and errors of judgement have been made over the years, in what have been changing time in Jersey’s tourism industry, but it is worthy of support.
I visit Durrell reguarly with my wife and son, who are both members. I have up until now gained entry as a guest on my wife’s membership but yesterday I took out my own membership. Yes its £40 a year, but then last night, my wife and I went out and spent £60 on pub food and drink in one evening !
Jersey won’t be the same without Durrell, so come on islanders, take out a membership to show support for the cause.
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I think Darren #87 makes a great point. Monkey World does an amazing job in protecting and breeding Chimpanzees, but living within an hours drive is nearly 1 million inhabitants. This puts the restrictiveness of Durrell into perspective. Unfortunately, without tourism the zoo will have no option but to make serious cutbacks
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Louise, One of the 14 (clearly not), Hobgoblin and others: I see that the PR machinery is busy at work. It is sad to see that the stress and despair of the 14 families is simply being used to promote pantos, fundraising for the zoo (see yesterday’s article). One of our friend is indeed one of the forteen. None of this extra cash is going support the victim families. It’s all for zoo attractions in the disguise of “saving species from extinction”.
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#96
184 free (fantastic) volunteers…
You can’t please all of the people all of the time.
Some of you complain about not enough big game, some of you complain about too many species which aren’t even endangered!
Model (non-threatened) species to gain skills has been a particular forte at Durrell, it has worked well in theory for training others and in practice for our own projects.
Lions, Tigers etc may well need significant help, the reason you won’t see these animals at Durrell is that an ex-situ zoological collection environment is definitely not the way to conserve these animals.
Worldwide we are known and respected, our work is significant and praised elsewhere.
Our failure has been in managing to educate and persuade the average Jersey local to care about tiny frogs and endless little birds. We’ve been hoping to show you that each one of these species matters to us as humans, you don’t have to “love” them, but the message is that they all matter. Some comments make it distressingly clear that we haven’t achieved that.
We have also made the mistake of hoping for the site to be able to sustain itself, clearly in this setting it can’t.
For those saying we should just go, or that we were planning to anyway.
You saw the plans and how much it would cost to improve the current site, apply a bit of sense, there is no way we could afford to transfer our entire operation to a newly built site elsewhere AND afford the expense of closing down the current site, relocating the animals etc, the idea was considered in depth a few years ago and it became clear that it was not a viable option.
One of the best parts of my daily work is accosting visitors in the exhibit areas while feeding certain animals.
It makes my day to see people’s faces light up, see the awe in their eyes as I go out of my way (in time that I have to borrow from my own lunch hour) to tell them little things they wouldn’t have learnt, had I not been there.
I know where the eggs are laid, where the baby animals hide, who is behaving unusually today/this week and I enjoy giving people an insight into those things, I like explaining how we deal with medical issues with our own specialist Vets on site and the biology of some animals that is very different from our own.
I doubt anyone I have ever spoken to would make comments such as these.
If you want to disguise putting the boot in as “helpful feedback” do the people who have lost their jobs and the rest of us a favour, compile your thoughts into a polite and insightful letter, send this to our management and if we’re lucky we might find some solutions before it’s too late.
I came to Durrell for all that it means and is, I could have stayed back home in the UK, nearer my family, paid much better and working with showier species.
But I chose to make my contribution here.
It’s these things that make the comments here heartbreaking to read (true or not, opinion or fact).
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Hahahaha BS Deluxe, Do you have any idea of the constraints of keeping big cats in captivity??? This is something that is just not possible at Durrell, where would they go??? They need massive amounts of space, something most mainland zoos struggle with, let alone a small conservation park on an island! Durrell used to have big cats and they got rid of them, for a reason!! Besdies which, Durrell don’t do any work with them in the wild, animals like aye-ayes are here as they are endangered and they do work in Madagascar!
Also, when the collection is cut the animals go to other zoos, how ridiculous to think they would be sold as pets or put to sleep!! We are not in the 70s here!!
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Hahahaha 104.
Great moniker but not much of a sense of humour!
Re my comment (24): “Well, they’ll either have to sell them off as pets or put them to ’sleep’ (perish the thought)…”
I wasn’t being serious!
I’m quite aware that the animals at Durrell require special habitats and expert attention. What I was trying to underline is that there is nowhere for them to go, as other zoos can’t afford to take them in.
And BS DeLuxe, for goodness sake…lions and tigers?!
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104
“how ridiculous to think they would be sold as pets or put to sleep!! We are not in the 70s here!!”
Who are you responding to with that comment? It certainly cannot be me!
The zoo did have big cats once upon a time, but they were inhumanely kept in cages. I am not suggesting this so please read my post properly if you wich to comment on it.
I have been to fantastic conservation parks in South Africa which have far less space than Durell has and they manage to look after a host of animals without the need for cages so please don’t lecture me on the lack of space. There is plenty of room….a lot of Durrell’s grounds are wasted space in my opinion.
Why is Durrell only limited to work in Madagascar? Surely this would be very short sighted of them considering there are far more vulnerable species elsewhere.
Besides, back to the point of this thread, if Durrell does not wish to increase public support (and money) then they should simply carry on doing what they are doing, but I am simply bored of looking st tiny frogs, birds and small monkeys and will not return until something more interesting appears.
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BS Deluxe
As others above have noted already – you clearly don’t understand the constraints of housing big cats! You mentioned polar bears earlier too! Classic! There’s only one of those left in captivity in Britain these days -Thank god
If you want to see something ‘more interesting’ go up to the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, Scotland where Mercedes, the polar bear lives….
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94.google.
I understand Durrell has an active conservation program and they have worked with the species you have mentioned – have they had a quantifiable success with these species of have they simply sent some employees out on a jolly? (this isn’t a rhetorical question – I’d really like to know!)- a coherent quantifiable conservation strategy, whose details are easily accessible to and accountable by interested donors would encourage greater support and trust. If durrell is so proud of its present day work why don’t they scream it from the rooftops? There has been a lack of exposure of the trusts work in the press (even the jersey media). If you want peoples money for your cause you must give people a reason to give it to you
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To Jay (comment 103)Thank you for your comment which may possibly help some people to understand the work you do and why you do it.I can fully understand why you enjoy your work but sadly I agree that you cannot educate and make everyone care,or at least be aware,of endangered species.I wish you,your colleagues,the volunteers(who give so generously) and Durrell itself good luck for the future.
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I blame sucessive governments for destroying the tourism industry; for allowing Jersey to become too expensive to get to and too expensive once the elusive tourist is here.
If the island gets fewer visitors, the attractions get fewer visitors. The opposite is also true but there is no real politcal effort to go in that direction.
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This may be heresy to some of you good people of Jersey, but why does an island as small as that need such an expensive zoo? People can easily visit one of the UK ones.
Cayman did something different, The Queen Elizabeth Botanical Park. Lovely place to walk around, well attended and cheaper to run (no animals to feed). Popular for weddings too.
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One of the major failings with attractions in Jersey including Durrell is it resembles the 1970s
in its execution.
Nothing stays the same,perhaps with the exception
of “Jersey” and its high time some forward thinking PR people were brought in.
Everything about Jersey says “1970,s”
Lion park,Durrell,samares manor its all old hat.
One exception is Fort Regent which is “worse” than it was in the “1970,s”.
Indeed Jersey has been left to go to ruins and the Bergerac days have long gone.
There was nothing wrong with the name Jersey zoo
Durrell as a name was a pointless excercise.
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ps. forgot to add. I think the Durrell Foundation does a tremendous job. I just don’t see the need for an actual zoo like that in Jersey.
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Well there is a couple of easy solutions that could help.
1) Get rid of the dam food in the cafe and change it to quick foods like chips, hot dogs and burgers. No-one want cottage pie or stuff like that, they can make that at home. Kids just want chips, burger or such. It nice, simple and cheap.
2) Half the price of the entry fee, families fee even cheaper. If a family can go up there for £15 – £20 I am sure you would get more custom. The last time I went the price was over £9 per person, god know what it is now.
3) and just change the name back to Jersey Zoo, what did they think the name Durrell was going to do. The place is a Zoo and will always be known as the Zoo.
CKH
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Having read jay’s (#103) post, I have just renewed my lapsed membership of Durrell for another year. It reminded me of exactly why I love Durrell, what it stands for and all the passionate people who work there.
It is incredibly sad to see what is happening and I really hope the Trust receives as much support as possible from the local population and from the States (I would rather my taxes go towards Durrell than an unnecssary town park, etc).
Please, please join Durrell if you are not a member. Read all the information they provide and then you will understand all the amazing work they do around the world. The Jersey site is just a small part of the whole picture, but a necessary one to keep the Trust’s work alive in the eyes of the public.
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Louise
Thanks, I may just well do that because I’ve seen enough of the frogs, birds and monkeys at Durrell to last me quite a while.
Your suggestion doesn’t really help the plight of Durrell in raising funds though does it!!
At least I was offering possible solutions to help increase public interest and ultimately gate receipts which would also be in keeping with Durrell’s conservation ethic.
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I notice Les Ormes seems to be doing nicely. That is run as a trust and has number of different revenue streams.
Perhaps it is time for Durrell to re think its long term strategy because it looks like it won’t survive as it is. Surely this can’t be too a big surprise to those that run the place and have seen the year on year numbers/know how much is in the bank..?
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as members of durrell for a number of years,i look forward to my visits every year.yes my family are tourists.we have been since 1988.yes we could go elsewhere for our holidays,but we dont.we love the island and durrell.we are also true visitors to whats left of the other tourist sites.i have been to other zoos and none are as well planned with there layouts as durrell.it provides us with the animal knowledge of species that could dissappear from our world if something is not done to save them.durrell do this well.i hope they will continue thier good work.please jersey men and women become members if you are not.animals are for all to enjoy.dont let there be a time when our childrens children have to ask or rely on pictures to see what a gorrilla looks like.well done durrell,i hope you survive,and look forward to my next visit in april.
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hi again
a few pointers
1. they changed the name from jersey zoo to durral wildlife conservation park is because they dont see it as a zoo and that is what they are trying 2 get across 2 visitors. and 2 *no 54 changing the name 2 this Durrell’s Animal Conservation Park or similar is crazy because it still would mean da same thing.
2. in the past 19 years that i have been 2 Jersey, and every year going 4 or 5 times 2 jersey zoo/durral wildlife conservation park i have met and got 2 know some of the staff there and i am very grateful for their work there and world wide they have taught me a great deal of things about animals there and out in the wild.
3. i agree with the person who surgested the cafe selling fast food like chips, burgers and hotdogs which is cheep but dont 4get that people can go anywhere 4 that sort of food but also think of the people who likes healthier food.
4. most of importent thing is remembering why Gerald Durrell started the whole conservation idea in the first place to save animals from extinction 2 stop what had happend 2 the dodos. we do not want this happeng 2 the rest of the wildlife because we need them and they need us 2 survive its all part of the healthy living planet.
SO SAVE DURRELL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK COME ON EVERYONE BE PART OF THE EXPERINCE DO YOUR BIT.
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In response to your post, Jersey Babe, I had on idea that Durrell’s real name was Durrell Wildlife Conservation Park. It begs the question why they don’t market themselves with their real name. Even this article refers to Durrell.
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I pay £3.33 per month for unlimited access to the zoo. that’s nothing really. It’s less than one days lunch for a St Helier office worker. I only go probably once every two years but I’m happy to pay a monthly membership as it supports a local business and what a great local business it is!
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One area this ‘informed’ debate has neglected is support of Durrell by the island’s wealthy. It’s a fact that most major donors (as opposed to customers) to the Trust are from the UK and overseas. The 11ks, the bankers, lawyers etc enjoy Durrell through cheap membership (and membership card borrowing scams are rife amongst this section of Jersey society), and many of them turn out in great numbers when they have an opportunity to meet the Princess Royal or John Cleese. However, this is not translated into significant donations.
Durrell’s financial problems are of a scale that entrance fees/food concessions/the shop etc are almost irrelevant. Deckchairs and the Titanic come to mind. In particular, the conservation work around the globe is hugely time/labour intensive, and is therefore expensive.
Instead of looking to the States or selling more burgers and postcards, some of these people should at least consider putting their hands deep into their pockets. Charitable causes don’t come much more important than saving species from exttinction.
Having a nice time at the Dodo Ball, and bidding over the odds to stay at a beach house in Barbados is surely not enough?
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for anyone who thinks there is a lack of action at the zoo they should visit the spectacled bears. They are “at it” pretty much flat out these days, usually right in front of the window.
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Those that feel hurt please don’t take these comments as representative. I think everyone is aware that the management became very top heavy with some very questionable HR practice and trustees… that needs to change and perhaps staff in accountancy, PR, HR etc will find it easier to find alternative work than the very precious and highly qualified keeper staff. I do hope that none of them have been made redundant. If management wants an attempt at representative comment why don’t they join forces with the Stats unit who administer the social survey and find out what would make locals join you..Heritage did a survey with them which was very useful.
Our family LOVE YOU, things like those golden summer evenings when most of the crowds have gone and you can pic nic watching lithe otters or free tamarin, or duck and flamingo or sit amongst the lavender watching the storks or hang upside down from the rocket.
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I live in the UK and visit Jersey two or three times a year. I have been to the zoo on a number of occasions and marvel that such an organisation can exist.
Any zoo in Jersey cannot begin to match the Zoological Society of London in scale or scope, but what Durrell does do is match its illustrious contemporary in its ambition and hope. Durrell, however, is a world-class conservation organisation and its activities bring great honour to the island.
Some of the posts here make me feel very sad. I am surprised at the shortsighted, narrow perspective of so many respondents. A number of people have lost their jobs and this should be a matter of concern – not sniping about the lack of tigers or meals in the cafe.
You have a real jewel here. Support it.
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I think watermelon should become a volunteer like me and see what actually goes on in terms of running the zoo. I think that they forget that Charities have to comply with so much legislation these days….not to mention HR,Health and Safety and tax laws of Jersey-perhaps our Government could help in relaxing some of the constraints.I am sure if she delved deep she would find the people who work in these areas are as qualified in there specialist fields as the keepers….but then again how can you make a meaningful comparison?
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If they can just let 14 people go like that what about the animals? How are they going to be cared for properly?
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