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Heartfelt tributes are being paid to the respected and passionate conservationist who played "right-hand man" to Jersey Zoo's founder, after he passed away.
Jersey Zoo confirmed this afternoon that Jeremy Mallinson OBE had died.
Mr Mallinson helped Gerald Durrell open Jersey Zoo in 1959. There, he became Head of Mammals, rising to the position of Director of the Trust - a position he held for more than three decades until his retirement in 2001.
For his services to conservation, he was awarded an OBE in 1997, as well as a prestigious Wildlife Conservation Award from the Zoological Society of San Diego five years later.
“Jeremy’s passion for helping the animal kingdom was unparalleled, and his belief in the positive role zoos could and should make to saving species from extinction was unshakable.” - @leedurrell pic.twitter.com/2BdjlcLIb3
— Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (@DurrellWildlife) February 5, 2021
In 2012, Mr Mallinson won the prestigious 'Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Zoo Community' from the Zoological Society of London.
At the time, ZSL Secretary Professor Geoff Boxshall described Mr Mallinson's contributions to the global zoo community as "immense", noting: "Jeremy has been a pioneer of coordinated captive-breeding programmes in zoos, helping to establish a framework for cooperation that is now standard practice internationally."
Then in 2017, Mr Mallinson became the 13th recipient of the world-renowned 'Ulysses S. Seal Innovation in Conservation Award' in honour of his lifelong dedication to conservation.
The globetrotter, who became well-acquainted with Africa, Asia and South America during his time, published over 200 papers and articles, nine books and presented research at conferences in 20 different countries.
Pictured: Jeremy Mallinson and Durrell CEO Leslie Dickie after he received the prestigious Innovation in Conservation Award. (Durell)
In particular, he championed the conservation of Brazil's Tamarin monkeys.
However, one of the things Mr Mallinson will perhaps remain best known for was his work in rearing a cheetah and lioness at the Trinity wildlife park.
Honorary Director of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Lee Durrell, wife of the late Gerald Durrell, commented: "It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Jeremy Mallinson, a much loved and respected figure throughout the zoo world.
"Jeremy became Gerald Durrell’s right-hand man after Jersey Zoo opened in 1959 and devoted the rest of his working life to to the Zoo and Trust until his retirement in 2001."
Video: The conservation of Tamarins was a particular passion of Jeremy Mallinson.
She continued: "His passion for helping the animal kingdom was unparalleled, and his belief in the positive role zoos could and should make to saving species from extinction was unshakable. Jeremy's support for the conservation of the tamarin monkeys of Brazil became legendary.
"Jeremy lived a rich and extensive life beyond the zoo world. A writer and traveller, a bibliophile and music lover, he was also a brilliant raconteur and could wittily regale an audience with tales of his escapades and experiences. But he was also a humble man and always found time to speak to students and zoo staff and to mentor them in their quest to become effective conservationists.
"Jeremy Mallinson enriched the lives of so many people and animals, myself included. He was best man at my wedding to Gerry and a close friend from that time until now. I shall miss him tremendously."
Tributes have since poured in from former colleagues, friends, islanders and the global conservation community online.
Clare Renouf, who worked with Mr Mallinson at Durrell, remembered him on Facebook as "a great man with lots of fascinating stories".
Another former colleague, Brenda Ann Pirozzolo, said: "When we first took over the Cafe Dodo Jeremy was still at the Zoo such a lovely humble man and it was certainly our privilege to be working alongside a true gentleman."
Janine Parkin said he "made the world safer and kinder for being in it. While there are Jeremys still in this world, we can have hoped."
Elena Valdes, who didn't know him personally, said she was aware of him through reading Gerald Durrell's books and believed him to be a "good, lovely man."
Kristin Leus wrote on Facebook: "The human and furry lion tamarin family lost one of their most loyal champions and a warm, gracious, funny, loving, dear friend. I will miss him tremendously. I send warm thoughts to Jeremy's family and the Jersey Zoo colleagues past and present."
Mr Mallinson's incredible life story was documented in his autobiography entitled 'The Touch of Durrell', which was published in 2009.
Writing in the foreword, Lee Durrell wrote: “When a male gorilla comes of age and assumes leadership of his social group, he becomes the silverback, named for the silvery sheen across his back.
"Jeremy’s achievements and interactions with zoo directors and senior conservationists from all over the world established him firmly as a silverback in the field of conservation for the last two decades of the 20th century.”
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