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As islanders say ‘toodle-oo’ to the tortoise sculptures as they head to auction this week, Express is inviting people to share their favourite summer snaps of the tortoise trail – whether a pet portrait or a 'shell-fie'.
Islanders had their last chance to say goodbye to the tortoises at Jersey Zoo this weekend.
While the trail has served to raise awareness of Durrell's world-leading conservation work all over the world, the key aim of the sculpture auction, which will be taking place next Thursday, is to raise money for a new reptile enclosure to house the many endangered species that are looked after at Jersey Zoo.
Director of Fundraising and Communications Alex Shears described the four-day 'Toodle-oo' event as "a chance to say goodbye to these magical works of art".
Pictured: Islanders said 'toodle-oo' to the tortoises this weekend at Jersey Zoo.
"It's also an opportunity for potential bidders to come and choose their favourites ahead of the auction," she added.
"The auction itself is an event not to be missed. We are delighted to be welcoming back Charles Hanson as our auctioneer, who bought the house down in 2019, raising over £1million at the Go Wild Gorillas auction.
"Ultimately, the auction is to raise funds to create new reptile and amphibian facilities at Jersey Zoo. As the biodiversity crisis deepens, we need to increase our efforts to conserve these threatened and endangered species.”
As the proud official media partner of the Tortoise Takeover, Express would love to see your shell-fies and other pictures from the Tortoise Takeover.
Please send them to pictures@bailiwickexpress.com!
Islanders still have time to sign up to either attend the auction in person at The Royal Yacht Hotel, or to bid on their favourite tortoise online.
You can find more information on the auction and register to bid online here or email julia.voce@durrell.org if you are interested in attending the live auction.
In the latest edition of Connect Magazine, we spoke to Head of Reptiles, Matt Goetz, on how the Tortoise Takeover will help animals at Jersey Zoo and Durrell's wider conservation efforts...
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