Is our famous wildlife park on the brink of extinction?

Thursday 12 February 2015

It might have enlisted the help of a superhero but Jersey’s world famous wildlife park could be on the brink of extinction.

Lee Durrell says the charity has discussed moving its headquarters off the Island but there are real concerns Durrell will have to close altogether if it can’t get more visitors through its gates.

The charity’s Honorary Director says there are about 200,000 fewer visitors a year now compared to when the Island’s tourism industry was booming in the late 80’s, making it more and more difficult for it to do its conservation work here and around the globe.

Speaking at an event organised by Network Jersey, the new non-profit organisation that raises money for charities, Lee Durrell said: “We are suffering from the collapse of the tourism industry in the Island. I'm sorry to say it, but that is exactly what has happened. In 1989 there were 380,000 visitors and now there are 180,000. Because of the loss in numbers we cannot make up the shortfall in income.”

The scientist and author said she doesn’t think it’s feasible for the Trust to ever move its headquarters off the Island.

She said: “If it came to it, then I think we would close. This is our spiritual home and we would not be the same if we went somewhere else.”

Lee’s hopes are that one day Durrell will be saved by an endowment and be funded like a university so that it can carry on the work it is doing and expand.

For now though she says she’s confident new fundraising ideas will help improve the financial situation and that a new non-profit organisation launched in the USA called American Friends of Durrell has already raised significant funds.

Lee said: “Let us hope there is some resurgence in tourism and that visitor numbers to the Park increase again. If the Park had to close it would be disastrous for Durrell and it would be a really sad day for Jersey.”