Jersey zoo - will I regret going?

[squashyhat]

DH and I are going on holiday to Jersey next week with his family as a celebration for MIL's birthday. Everyone wants to visit the zoo but DH and I are not sure. It seems to make a big thing online of being a beacon of conservation and how animals are in a 'natural' environment but all zoos say that nowadays don't they? Can anyone with personal experience tell me what it's really like?

Jersey Zoo is ACE.

It was founded by Gerald Durrell who as you probably know was a front runner in the field of conservation. They try to give the animals the best environment they can, and have a rolling programme of improvements. They are currently fundraising to double the size of the area for their gorillas. (Go round and spot the 40 large and 45 small gorillas across the island).

There is one bear who can look distressed at times, but he was much worse when he came to Jersey and is much improved. They are working hard to keep him as happy as possible. The bears have bred since being placed together and generally unhappy animals don't breed.

The tamarins & silvery marmosets run 'free' in the woods.

The relatively new butterfly area is really peaceful, and the bat enclosure is fab too.

The keeper talks are very informative.

They do a lot of work in conservation, in areas like Madagascar, and also on Jersey where Choughs were reintroduced to the wild.

(I'm a fan if you couldn't tell.)

(They don't have armadillos though )

Durrell was a key pioneer in getting zoos to change from being freak shows for the public and into creating stimulating environments for animals to thrive in. He also set up breeding programmes to support and sustain critically endangered animals, focusing on many of the non-cute and cuddly ones.
He reached out to younger supporters with little money because he thought educating the next generation was essential.
So yes, it’s one of the zoos I support.

They’ve been doing conservation for years though, I’m a massive Gerald Durrell fan too.

I’ve read all his books.

Yes I read his books when I was young too and know of the work he and his wife did. Good - sounds like it's a cause with supporting and visiting. Thanks all .

worth not with