Baby tortoises to take over town

Thursday 14 July 2022

While large tortoises take over areas of the island’s landscape next summer… a group of young tortoises decorated by schools and community groups will also be popping up in shops across town.

Yesterday marked the official launch of the Creative Learning Programme that will be a key part of next year's Tortoise Takeover sculpture trail, which Express is proudly sponsoring as media partner.

More than 50 representatives from the island’s schools and community groups gathered at Jersey Zoo to hear how young people can get involved in next summer’s biggest art event. 

“We want Tortoise Takeover to bring together schools, colleges, nurseries and community groups to create a wild and whimsical ‘creep’ of young tortoises,” explained Fiona Marchant, Conservation Learning Manager at Jersey Zoo.

“We hope to see innovative and imaginative designs that showcase the creative talent of every part of our community. We want to make this trail as inclusive and accessible as possible.”

The Tortoise Takeover team are hoping that every school and community group on the island will sign up, committing to raise funds to help with vital conservation work.

Pictured: More than 50 representatives gathered to hear how young people can get involved. 

As well as a blank sculpture, those taking part will receive a a curriculum-linked learning resource pack and will be invited to take part in inspirational events linked with the project.

The young tortoises will go on display in shop windows and other indoor locations across Jersey a few days ahead of the giant tortoise trail.

After the trail, the giant tortoises will be auctioned to raise funds to build a new Tropical House at Jersey Zoo for the many species of threatened reptiles and amphibians looked after by Durrell’s expert team of herpetologists.

The young tortoises, meanwhile, will return to the schools and community groups that created them.

Pictured: The young tortoises will go on display in shop windows and other indoor locations across Jersey.

Wild in Art, who were involved in the previous ‘Go Wild Gorillas’ trail, worked with Durrell to design the new sculpture, which acts as an ambassador for all the work that Durrell undertakes with reptiles across the globe. 

“Creativity plays a vital role in education, and we hope that the Tortoise Takeover Creative Learning Programme will inspire young people to become interested in conservation and art,” Ben Reed, Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art, said.

“It will be a great opportunity for them to work creatively and showcase their achievements.”

RBC is Education Partner for the Creative Learning Programme, and BDO and C5 are Community Partners.

“We truly hope that our support will encourage and inspire more young people to spend time in nature, learning how precious wildlife is to our natural ecosystem and we can't wait to see the Tortoise Takeover in action,” said RBC’s Gail McCourt.

“Durrell have an incredible reputation for the work they do in conservation as well as within the community, and we look forward to working together with them, community groups and schools, and the people within our own organisation, on this exciting project,” Jon Kandiah, Group Chief Operating Officer at BDO and C5, added.

GET INVOLVED… 

Any groups wishing to take part can email learning@durrell.org to find out more.

Businesses of all sizes can still get involved in the trail by sponsoring a giant sculpture as well as a young tortoise sculpture for a school or community group. To find out more and contact the team at Durrell, CLICK HERE.