Gerald Durrell

Gerald Durrell (1925 - 1995) was born in India. He was three years old when the Durrell family returned to England. In 1935, the Durrells decided to settle in Corfu, where young Gerry, already an avid animal lover, developed into an enthusiastic naturalist, eventually becoming one of the most important wildlife researchers and advocates. By 1945, he was already working as a zookeeper, and in 1947, he led an expedition to Cameroon—the first of many to follow. In 1959, he founded the Jersey Zoological Park, a center for the rescue of endangered species, and in 1963, the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, which is now named the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in his honor. In 1982, in recognition of his significant contributions, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen.