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Islanders are being urged to get their friends and colleagues involved in a 'wild' sweepstake to raise money for Durrell.
The sweepstake is the latest initiative the conservation charity has organised linked to its 'Go Wild Gorillas' public art trail, which concluded last week.
Launched by Durrell in partnership with Wild in Art, trail aimed to celebrate the charity’s 60th anniversary while raising funds for a new state-of-the-art gorilla house at Jersey Zoo.
Throughout the summer, islanders were invited to explore the 40-sculpture trail using the Go Wild Gorillas printed map or the Go Wild Gorillas app, through which they were able to unlock exciting rewards provided by local companies with every new gorilla they found.
A total of 225,540 gorillas were unlocked, with Jungle Banana Split, which was based at Charing Cross, being the most frequently unlocked.
Meanwhile, bejewelled silverback Zeus won the popularity prize, receiving the majority of the 11,024 votes cast.
While the gorillas left the trail just over a week ago, Durrell has thought of one more way to raise funds for a state-of-the-art gorilla house.
As the sculptures are currently being pampered ahead of the Grand Gorilla Auction, islanders are being invited to gather a group of 44 friends for a wild sweepstake.
“This is a fun way for businesses, schools and clubs to get involved in the excitement of the Grand Gorilla Auction," Alexandra Shears, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Durrell said.
Pictured: Download your gorillas for the sweepstake by clicking HERE.
Explaining how the sweepstake will work, she said: "It’s really simple to do – sell tickets to colleagues, friends or family for £5 each to be picked randomly from a bag. Following the Grand Gorilla Auction on 6 November, the person who picked the highest value gorilla at auction wins £100 and runner up £20.
"It should be a lot of fun, someone gets a chance to win £100 plus £100 will be donated to Durrell to help build a new home for our beloved gorillas at Jersey Zoo.”
The Grand Gorilla Auction will take place on 6 November at the Royal Yacht, which Charles Hanson as the auctioneer.
Pictured: The trail was on display for 11 weeks.
40 silverback sculptures from the trail, plus three of the small sculptures and one 'surprise silverback' will be up for grabs.
Tickets for the auction can be booked by visiting the 'Go Wild Gorillas' website, but gorilla enthusiasts unable to attend in person will be able to bid from anywhere in the world through the online auction catalogue.
But before they go under the hammer, islanders will get to see the gorillas one last time at Jersey Zoo.
'Goodbye Gorillas' will be a four-day celebration from 1 to 4 November, with the whole troop being brought together.
No booking is required, normal admission prices will apply until 15:00, after which half price entry will be available to view the gorillas. Durrell members will be able to go in for free.
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