New mascot for the Games

Friday 27 June 2014

Organisers of next year’s NatWest Island Games hope their new mascot - Durrell's infant gorilla Indigo - will encourage athletes to take home more than medals from their visit.

The young silverback has been chosen to represent the spirit and values of the Games and they hope he will get competitors thinking about the need to protect their Islands.

Indigo, who will be two in September, is the first living ambassador in the Games’ history but he's from a family used to the spotlight – his granddad Jambo shot to fame in 1986 when he protected a five-year-old boy who fell into his enclosure.

Chairman of the Jersey 2015 Organising Committee Phil Austin said:  “Indigo is young, energetic and active, and with the right encouragement, diet and exercise will grow into a strong Silverback.

“It is similar for the thousands of competitors who are preparing to come to Jersey. Their attitude, dedication and general wellbeing will all help shape whether they are able to represent their island, and how well they do when they are here.

“By coming together in friendship and under a sporting banner, the NatWest Island Games enables us to share our varied cultures and history. On a wider platform, as small independent islands we can also share and discuss joint concerns such as conservation, and by adopting Indigo we bring to the fore the need for all of us to protect and nurture our own unique environments and bio-diversity. I am confident that our guests will leave Jersey with some strong global conservation messages and also many fond memories and images of our beautiful island.”

Durrell’s Honorary Director Lee Durrell said: “Durrell is thrilled that our young gorilla, has been chosen as the Games’ mascot.

“He is the perfect mascot for the Games, which are a significant part of the sporting calendar for many island communities around the world. We look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families and friends to the wildlife park during their visit next year.

“Durrell’s work including captive breeding programmes, training international students in conservation, and 45 field projects in 14 countries, demonstrates how small organisations and small islands can make a positive impact on the international arena."

All the medal winners will take home cuddly versions of t00he Silverback with the Jersey 2015 logo and others will be sold to raise money for Durrell’s gorilla family.