Jersey Zoo 1984 - The Trust Volunteers

From the Jersey Zoo 25 Years Anniversary Brochure published in 1984.

The Trust Volunteers

Most people would probably think that the cost of feeding the animals is a major factor any zoo’s budget, but it only represents seven per cent of expenditure at the Jersey Zoo.

Far and away the largest item of expenditure is that of staff salaries, representing 47 per cent of the total. Although salary scales are considerably lower than most other jobs with comparable responsibility, especially considering the high qualifications of some keepers, they are justifiably proud of a higher level of staffing than other zoos.

General administration costs equal those for animal food and maintenance and repairs cost twice as much.

Profits from 200 admissions, shop and cafe pay 70 per cent of running costs and although the remaining 30 per cent might not sound a lot to make up, it represents £200,000. That is for running costs, and there still has to be extra funding for research, training, education projects and new developments.

In support of its work the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust has 11,000 adult members in 75 different countries. Most of these people are introduced to the trust’s work and objectives by the writings of its founder and honorary director, Gerald Durrell.

Of the initial inquires some 60 per cent actually join the trust and they are kept informed of its activities via newsletters and an annual report.

In l98l the trust took over responsibility for junior membership under the banner of the Dodo Club, which now boasts some 3,000 members. Another 4,000 members in the United States have joined the sister organisation, Wildlife Preservation Trust International. Members pay £10 a year and then have the opportunity to adopt an animal of their choice, the adaption scheme has been running for some 15 years and has proved immensely popular.

There is actually a waiting list for several of the species, many of which, such as the cotton-topped tamarin, black and white ruffed lemur, and Rodrigues fody, most people would be hard-pressed to describe.

The trust’s preoccupation with the survival of obscure, not to say bizarre, species led to the launching of SAFE — Save Animals From Extinction.

This scheme not only provides an opportunity for an individual to support the very survival of a chosen animal but to support a particular item or phase of the breeding programme.

If you wish to make a gift towards the freight of captive bred Rodrigues fruit bats to their country of origin for release in six years from now, you can do just that, and your donation will accrue interest while it is waiting to be used. The trust hopes that eventually this idea will be so successful that it can guarantee the financial security of every breeding programme almost before it begins.

The other obvious way of contributing towards the annual expenditure is by actively raising funds, or just as important, saving on costs, both of which mean more cash in the kitty, and both of which usually need strong volunteer input. In 1982 the trust sent a volunteer job sheet out to its 2,800 strong Island membership and three years later there are 15 active groups organised and run by their own co-ordinators, the largest of which is the volunteer guide service.

In 1983 this enthusiastic bond of 37 guides conducted 4,228 visitors around the zoo on special guided tours.

A manageress of one of Jersey’s supermarkets co-ordinates the group responsible for cleaning and maintaining the reptile breeding units — not everybody’s cup of tea, which is perhaps why these volunteers are so dedicated.

The organic farm volunteers are organised by a senior officer of the Jersey Income Tax Department and the engraving and distribution of animal adoption plaques is run with efficiency by an ex-theatre sister.

Cardboard box collectors to keep the orangutans well supplied, translators, sign writers and special event organisers are a few more of the jobs volunteers do to help the zoo.

Fund raising in its most direct and obvious sense is a fairly new discipline for the trust’s staff as it has always been part of Gerald Durrell’s extraordinary talent that wherever a facility was required he was able to find a benefactor.

However, the work of the trust is destined, undoubtedly, to outlive its present incumbent and an efficient, supportive machine must be assembled in Jersey to ensure its long-term future.

The trust secretary and co-ordinator, Simon Hicks, who assumes responsibility for the initiation and maintenance of all these areas, is using this anniversary year to train staff and volunteers alike to set up fund-raising channels which hopefully will continue beyond 1984.

He is just as concerned with innovations to save funds, hence the installation of heat pumps in the reptile house which have successfully halved the annual £12,030 heating bill of that one area, and the organic farm project which is both to offset the direct costs of buying vegetables from the local market and to provide a diet more interesting and natural for the animals in the zoo’s care.

Despite the advent of the latest technology for animal propagation, energy production and information storage (yes, the inevitable computer now keeps track of members and animal breeding records) there is a constant awareness that the trust’s work concerns the world of nature and Mother Nature herself usually provides the best answers.

This fundamental humility helps to make the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust the healthy, honest sort of organisation which has taken on this immense responsibility as sensibly and as effectively as its current resources allow.

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