Durrell training in the Middle East

Tuesday 03 June 2014

Durrell’s top trainers will be helping one of the largest zoos in the world to protect its animals.

The charity has begun a training development partnership with Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates which is home to giraffes, white lions, white rhinos, zebras and gazelles.

The zoo in Abu Dhabi is in the process of expanding to create a learning centre which will highlight the importance of conserving desert wildlife.

Jamie Copsey and Dr Tim Wright - two trainers from Durrell Conservation Academy -and a team of animal husbandry experts will give staff at the zoo the skills they need to train up their own keepers

Mr Copsey who is Head of Learning and Development at Durrell, said: “Durrell is an international conservation organisation which sees the role of zoos as central to many species’ recovery programmes worldwide. This latest partnership is another example of how zoos around the world are looking to us for training.”

The Island’s Chief Minister has recently returned from a trip to the UAE with some of Jersey’s finance chiefs to forge closer business links with the Middle East. They visited the Zoo to find out more about the training partnership and the zoo’s plans for the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre.

Senator Ian Gorst said: "I was delighted to visit the Zoo and to discuss some of the work it is doing with Durrell. It is a partnership that has great potential to make a significant contribution to wildlife conservation within the UAE and far beyond. Both institutions share a commitment to excellence and the sharing of expertise in this field is a valuable addition to the rapidly diversifying relationship between Jersey and the UAE."

Mr Copsey said: “Durrell is an integral component of the ‘Jersey Brand’ and one that politicians are now using to support their missions to encourage inward investment.”