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The departure of Jersey Zoo's Director of Operations was "by mutual consent" with Durrell, it has been confirmed – but it is not clear if any exit payment from charity funds will be made.
Graeme Dick, who had overseen the running of the Zoo since October 2021, told staff on Monday that he would be leaving 10 days later on Thursday 28 March.
The organisation has been facing increased pressure from members and staff, who claim the Zoo has lost its way from Gerald Durrell's legacy.
They have collected, Express understands, more 100 signatures to call for an EGM where members would vote on asking Durrell's trustees to resign.
The Zoo has said they had held an in-person mediation with some of these members and representatives of the trustee board, in which they said they sought to "provide clarity on the issues at hand and find a mutually acceptable way forward". But talks collapsed when solutions could not be agreed.
Rebel members have since accelerated efforts to oust Durrell's trustees and push for an independent investigation into the running of the charity, while Gerald Durrell's widow Lee Durrell has urged them to "stop using Gerald's name and legacy" to justify their criticisms and warned of the destabilising effect on Durrell.
It comes in the same week as the departure of Mr Dick was announced.
He said that it "wasn’t an easy decision", adding that he was "leaving because I care deeply, and I feel this is the right decision for me and also the Trust at this time".
Part of Mr Dick's remit was working with the team to expand the species at the Zoo – one of the targets of critics' concerns.
Following questions from Express, the Trust confirmed last night that Mr Dick's departure was "by mutual consent".
They added: "The Board of Trustees thanks him for his dedication and commitment to the Trust’s vision.
"Graeme will remain a professional colleague of Durrell and we wish him the very best."
Express has asked whether Mr Dick was asked to resign, when he had informed the senior team of his intention to resign, whether his notice period had been waived, and whether there would be compensation for loss of office payments.
His is the third high-profile departure from the Zoo's internal team, following CEO Lesley Dickie and Head of Mammals Dom Wormell last year. Durrell did not share any details of potential exit payments at the time.
Pictured: Former Zoo CEO Lesley Dickie's departure was announced in September last year.
According to Durrell accounts, compensation payments to employees for "loss of office" in 2022 totalled £20,000, and £12,000 was paid to one employee in 2020.
In 2019, £13,000 was paid in total.
While Durrell, its Interim CEO and Honorary Director Lee Durrell last night provided comprehensive comments seeking to address critics' concerns around governance, animal welfare and company culture, it did not respond to a number of questions.
Express had asked Durrell on Tuesday about the next steps it will take to fill Mr Dick's role upon his departure, as well as for an update on the recruitment for a permanent Chief Executive, but as yet has not received a response.
Express had also asked for details of the mediators brought on board, including who they are and the cost to the charity. Durrell confirmed that mediation was paid for by the charity, but did not respond to other questions.
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