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A campaign group seeking a shake-up at the top levels of Jersey Zoo laid down at least three key demands – including the ousting of its Operations Director – before talks fell apart, Express can reveal.
The countdown is now on for Durrell to organise an Extraordinary General Meeting in which the future of the charity’s trustees and a possible independent investigation into its operations will be discussed and voted on by members.
The charity confirmed to Express last week that it had independently verified the signatures put forward by a campaign group We Love the Zoo. At least 60 members were required for an EGM to officially be requisitioned. The campaign group submitted 62, but maintained that it was holding dozens more in ‘reserve’.
As of last Thursday, the charity had 21 days to communicate the details of the EGM to members, including the resolution, date, location, how to attend and vote in person, and how to vote by proxy.
The group said they were calling the EGM because they felt that their longstanding concerns about animal welfare at the Zoo – which Durrell has always maintained has never been at risk – and its management have not been addressed.
The concerns first reared their head last year with the resignation of Head of Mammals Dominic Wormell, who fired several parting shots at the charity on social media.
At the same time, former Animal Records Officer Joya Ghose spoke out about an allegedly “toxic” culture where staff felt unable to speak up about their concerns.
Pictured: Former Head of Mammals Dominic Wormell fired several parting shots at the charity on social media following his resignation.
It was at this point that likeminded individuals with links to the Zoo began coming together.
The group were keen to see changes at the top levels – but the departure of CEO Lesley Dickie last year was not enough.
In February, UK mediators were parachuted into the island to hold a session with the group, which had by this point taken on the name ‘We Love the Zoo’, and members of the board of trustees to help resolve their ongoing concerns around governance of the Trust, staff welfare, animal welfare and species choices at Jersey Zoo.
However, the mediation process fell apart when solutions could not be agreed, with Durrell’s team believing the requests to be excessive and unreasonable.
Express can today reveal that the key sticking points were:
Former Director of Operations Graeme Dick, who has been in charge of the Zoo's running since 2021, announced last week that he would leave his role on Thursday 28 March.
Pictured: Graeme Dick, who has been second-in-command at the Zoo since October 2021, told staff last week that he would leave on Thursday 28 March.
His departure was by "mutual consent", the charity said. They did not clarify whether Mr Dick would receive a loss-of-office payment. Such payments are normally included in the charity's annual report and accounts – however, the 2023 accounts are yet to be published, while any potential payment in 2024 would not be disclosed until next year.
His was the fourth high-profile departure in recent months, alongside former CEO Lesley Dickie, Head of Mammals Dominic Wormell and Chair of the Board of Trustees Rob Kirkby.
The other man that We Love The Zoo wanted to see leave the charity is Matthew Hatchwell, the recently-elected Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Mr Hatchwell is a UK-based wildlife conservation consultant who had been a trustee since 2021, prior to taking the top role.
An experienced conservationist, he has previously worked as the Director of Conservation for the Zoological Society of London, and as Chief Executive of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Europe.
He is also the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent.
Despite only taking over the Chair role in October, members of the We Love The Zoo group considered him to be aware of their concerns about the Zoo would have wanted him to take action on them. Further, they considered that a Jersey-based chair would be preferable.
We Love the Zoo has repeatedly declined to confirm who is leading the charge.
Ms Ghose confirmed her involvement, but denied playing a leading role, as did Mr Peter Brookes, a volunteer.
When talks fell apart, the group asked Durrell members to sign the following motion calling for an EGM:
The members have lost confidence in the ability of the Trustees to protect and maintain the legacy of Gerald Durrell. We call for the resignation of the board and an independent investigation into all aspects of the current and recent management’s running of the zoo.
The postal address individuals were asked to send their signatures to was that of Valerie Harding, a longstanding former staff member at Durrell, who continued to volunteer after departing. But, contacted by Express, Ms Harding said she was only supporting the group in an administrative capacity and that her involvement had ended.
Pictured: Former Zoo CEO Lesley Dickie.
An email to the group's general email address received no reply.
Meanwhile, trade union Unite claimed it had "an influx" of Durrell staff join its membership in the past 12 to 14 months, and that senior staff members had considered leaving the organisation – though this issue might have been resolved by Mr Dick's departure.
James Turner, Unite's regional officer, said he planned to survey union members and encouraged any staff members with issues to contact them.
Durrell is currently reviewing a formal request from 62 members to hold an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Once officially put forward, an EGM requisition forces Durrell to hold a meeting of members outside of its scheduled AGM.
For this to happen, a requisition must be signed by no less than 0.5% of the total number of Members at that time or 60 Members.
The meeting must then take place within 42 days.
Last week, a Durrell spokesperson said: "We received the requestion letter for an Extraordinary General Meeting signed by 62 individuals on Thursday 21 March.
"This is currently being reviewed internally to ensure compliance with the Trust rules."
Lee Durrell MBE, Honorary Director of Durrell and widow of founder Gerald Durrell, has also spoken out to urge detractors to “stop using Gerald Durrell’s name and legacy to justify their criticisms”.
She added that the resulting instability "could result in dire consequences for the Durrell we all love".
Mrs Durrell acknowledged that Gerald himself encouraged constructive criticism of the institution he set up.
She commented: “Healthy debate about management decisions and strategic direction of any organisation is to be welcomed – Gerald Durrell himself encouraged constructive criticism of the zoo.
"In recent months, however, the concerns raised, albeit well-intentioned, have infused the debates with diverse agendas and unyielding opinions, which have had a negative impact on stability and morale at Jersey Zoo, and could result in dire consequences for the Durrell we all love.
“I therefore ask those people to stop using Gerald Durrell’s name and legacy to justify their criticisms. Whatever outcomes they seek, Gerry would have been deeply saddened to see the damage done to the Trust to which he gave his name and dedicated his life."
Pictured: Lee Durrell MBE urged detractors to “stop using Gerald Durrell’s name and legacy to justify their criticisms”.
Mrs Durrell went on to give her strong backing to the "dedicated professionals" running Durrell, and its "highly committed Board of Trustees".
"Together, we are developing Gerry’s legacy to the world: his unique approach to wildlife conservation, integrating animal husbandry skills, scientific expertise and a long-term commitment to the animals, people and places we focus on, including Jersey Zoo," she said.
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