'Jersey Zoo' is back

Tuesday 07 March 2017

Many of us hadn't yet got around to making the change - but it now appears we don't have to, as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has announced that it will be changing its name back to Jersey Zoo, from 3 April.

The decision to change the name follows a survey recently carried out at the airport which apparently showed many visitors leaving the Island did not know there was a zoo, or wildlife park, here.

Dr Lesley Dickie, CEO of Durrell called this as a "big problem":

“At Durrell we are proud to be a zoo and the work we do both here in Jersey and in the wild all follows the same mission – to save species from extinction. 

Zoos are now the fourth largest funders of conservation in the world and we are pleased to make a significant contribution. We are also proud that Jersey is our home and this name change re-affirms that.”

“Putting ‘zoo’ back into Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is something I welcome…” – Dr Lee Durrell pic.twitter.com/sr4xM5Eky0

— Durrell Wildlife (@DurrellWildlife) March 6, 2017

When Gerald Durrell founded Jersey Zoo in 1959, he was a pioneer in his belief that good zoos could do great things in conservation.

Today, Durrell says that they are continuing his mission and believe that they set an example of best zoo practice across animal husbandry, education, science and conservation. 

Dr Lee Durrell, Honorary Director, supports the change: “Putting ‘zoo’ back into Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is something I welcome, for it reinforces what Gerald Durrell had been working towards all his life - to ensure that zoos are genuine and powerful instruments for conservation.

“Ten years ago, we made a conscious decision to avoid the word ‘zoo’, because of its perceived negative connotations.  Today we embrace it, because modern zoos have made great progress in the service of conservation, both in the zoo setting and in the wild, through innovative research, professional training, inspirational public education and improvements in animal wellbeing. 

 “Gerry and his early team had pioneered much of this, and Durrell will continue its ground-breaking work through Jersey Zoo.”

It’s time to be a zoo again! Durrell Wildlife Park to be renamed Jersey Zoo, as of 3rd April 2017. Read more: https://t.co/m2LOxK3yrE pic.twitter.com/6yX6gfxkaR

— Durrell Wildlife (@DurrellWildlife) March 6, 2017

The global organization, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, will not be affected by this change which only refers to the zoo itself.