Jersey Zoo: The Key to the Future
It has always been obvious to the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust that one small breeding centre in the English Channel could only have minimal effect on the declining populations of our wild creatures, and in Gerald Durrell’s best selling and provocative book ‘The Stationary Ark’ he expressed his longstanding dream to create a mini university.
His aim was to teach zoo keepers and wildlife conservation workers how captive breeding could be used to help to preserve endangered animal species.
In 1979, while final plans were being considered for the construction of a fairly basic utility block within the Zoo grounds to provide a residence for trainees, the farm property next door to the Zoo, called Les Noyers (the Walnuts), which had belonged to the some family for about 500 years, came on to the market for the first time in its history.
It has always been obvious to the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust that one small breeding centre in the English Channel could only have minimal effect on the declining populations of our wild creatures, and in Gerald Durrell’s best selling and provocative book ‘The Stationary Ark’ he expressed his longstanding dream to create a mini university.
His aim was to teach zoo keepers and wildlife conservation workers how captive breeding could be used to help to preserve endangered animal species.
In 1979, while final plans were being considered for the construction of a fairly basic utility block within the Zoo grounds to provide a residence for trainees, the farm property next door to the Zoo, called Les Noyers (the Walnuts), which had belonged to the some family for about 500 years, came on to the market for the first time in its history.
Les Noyers not only provides a traditional country home with accommodation for up to 15, including a housekeepers flat, but also the most superb granite barn complex which immediately fulfilled a desperate need for workshops, bedding and food storage (including a fully operational cold store), garaging, technical stores and garden equipment. There was also room for development.
A technical research unit, incorporating rooms for graphic design, audio visual equipment, specimen store and museum was completed last year and a behavioural research unit now provides a sophisticated building for the close observation of animals living together above and below ground, blissfully unaware that their every move is being closely watched and recorded for science.
As the trust increases its role as an international venue for politicians and conservationists to discuss environmental issues, the superbly fitted out lecture theatre will provide more than just a training centre lecture room.
A new wing with bathrooms, cloakrooms and adjoining lobby completes the world's first international training centre for breeding endangered species in captivity.
Trainees come from every corner of the globe, from as far afield as Nagaland and St Vincent, Brazil and Manipur, New Zealand and Canada. It could often be said that they only have two things in common — they are of the same species and they put another species first. A third common, and sometimes perilous interest soon develops on the croquet lawn, where cultural differences sometimes lead to exotic rules.
Their off duty needs are catered for by Pat Gilson, the housekeeper, whose varied family grows every month. Her Christmas card address list must be one of the most interesting in Jersey. Some of her guests have never been out of their home locality before, let alone travelled to another hemisphere. Pat gently helps them to settle, and as an ex-nurse and an imaginative and skilled cook she is ably fitted to do so.
This training centre, which is being completed in this anniversary year for an official opening by the trust's patron, Princess Anne, on October 5, has already accommodated 106 trainees from 24 countries, and so there is no doubt about the need for such a mini-university.
Naturally the cost of establishing such a facility is very considerable and although the Jersey trust purchased the property the development of the project could not have taken place without Wildlife Preservation Trust International, who believed in the role of captive breeding in conservation.
The trust is grateful to the Leverhulme Foundation for under-writing the salary of the centre's first training officer, together with 30 training scholarships over a period of six years, and to the Pew Foundation in Philadelphia for the development of the technical research unit, bathroom block and lobby and for part funding of the behavioural research unit.
They also provided the necessary funds to furnish the Sir William Collins Memorial Library, and Collins have donated every natural history book published by them in memory of their late founder.
Two private benefactors greatly assisted the conversion of the residence and the fitting out of the observational research unit but the trust is still seeking a benefactor for the lecture hall, which is to cost in the region of £30,000.
The training programme offered at the centre is intended for individuals who have shown a commitment to conservation and there are three training categories.
Special trainees are mainly government sponsored personnel who are directly involved with the management of endangered species, particularly from the country of origin of the species and especially of those represented at the trust. Previous practical experience with animals is usually, although not invariably, a requirement.
Staff trainees are zoological staff selected for further training in conservation work.
Career trainees are individuals who have a significant chance, of pursuing a career in captive breeding or closely related disciplines. University graduates in relevant subjects with good practical experience or non-graduates with outstanding practical experience are eligible.
There are three separate courses.
The first is a 16-week course in practical work experience with theory assuming a strong supporting role.
Trainees usually work for two weeks in each of the different animal sections alongside the permanent zoo staff, learning all aspects of husbandry and propagation of endangered species. There are regular lectures, seminars and other discussion sessions and the trainee may undertake a short research project.
The second course is a shortened version of the sixteen-week course, lasting only ten weeks and omitting two animal sections.
The third course is a six-week theory course in conservation and captive breeding aimed at those candidates for whom practical work is not appropriate. The major component of the course is an extended research project.
They are not formal training courses with examinations and assessment is related to the practical work experience. Trainees are expected to participate in all animal work, including the dirty as well as the prestige jobs and are assessed on how much effort they put into a day's work and their approach to the work.
The trust asks for a willingness to share in all aspects of work and to exercise commonsense, initiative and enthusiasm. The real value of trainees to the trust will be measured in their future inspiration of others with the ideas that the courses have generated, and for them to implement and adapt their experience to enhance captive breeding success elsewhere.
Since the summer of 1980 the Trust has also been running a highly successful three-week summer school, varying the major theme from year to year. Each course is co-ordinated and directed by internationally recognised scientists and many zoo staff participate in specialised instruction. The function of the summer school is primarily education, in contrast to the more closely defined aim of the normal training programmes.
There are also opportunities for carrying out valuable research at the zoo and independent research workers of proven capability may be accommodated by the trust for varying periods.
The establishment of the training centre, fulfilling the dreams of zoo founder Gerald Durrell, has already proved of inestimable value to the world of conservation, and as our natural world comes under even greater pressure and casualties from the animal kingdom increase, so its value will grow.
Special trainees are mainly government sponsored personnel who are directly involved with the management of endangered species, particularly from the country of origin of the species and especially of those represented at the trust. Previous practical experience with animals is usually, although not invariably, a requirement.
Staff trainees are zoological staff selected for further training in conservation work.
Career trainees are individuals who have a significant chance, of pursuing a career in captive breeding or closely related disciplines. University graduates in relevant subjects with good practical experience or non-graduates with outstanding practical experience are eligible.
There are three separate courses.
The first is a 16-week course in practical work experience with theory assuming a strong supporting role.
Trainees usually work for two weeks in each of the different animal sections alongside the permanent zoo staff, learning all aspects of husbandry and propagation of endangered species. There are regular lectures, seminars and other discussion sessions and the trainee may undertake a short research project.
The second course is a shortened version of the sixteen-week course, lasting only ten weeks and omitting two animal sections.
The third course is a six-week theory course in conservation and captive breeding aimed at those candidates for whom practical work is not appropriate. The major component of the course is an extended research project.
They are not formal training courses with examinations and assessment is related to the practical work experience. Trainees are expected to participate in all animal work, including the dirty as well as the prestige jobs and are assessed on how much effort they put into a day's work and their approach to the work.
The trust asks for a willingness to share in all aspects of work and to exercise commonsense, initiative and enthusiasm. The real value of trainees to the trust will be measured in their future inspiration of others with the ideas that the courses have generated, and for them to implement and adapt their experience to enhance captive breeding success elsewhere.
Since the summer of 1980 the Trust has also been running a highly successful three-week summer school, varying the major theme from year to year. Each course is co-ordinated and directed by internationally recognised scientists and many zoo staff participate in specialised instruction. The function of the summer school is primarily education, in contrast to the more closely defined aim of the normal training programmes.
There are also opportunities for carrying out valuable research at the zoo and independent research workers of proven capability may be accommodated by the trust for varying periods.
The establishment of the training centre, fulfilling the dreams of zoo founder Gerald Durrell, has already proved of inestimable value to the world of conservation, and as our natural world comes under even greater pressure and casualties from the animal kingdom increase, so its value will grow.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment