Gerald Durrell

Date of Birth: January 7, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: January 30, 1995

Biography

Gerald Malcolm Durrell was a British naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author, and television presenter. He was born on January 7, 1925, in Jamshedpur, British India, to a British family. Durrell is best known for founding the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo (officially the Jersey Zoological Park) on the Channel Island of Jersey in 1959. His work in wildlife conservation and his efforts to save endangered species made him a significant figure in the field of zoology. Durrell’s passion for animals started at a young age, and he began his career by working at various zoos and on animal-collecting expeditions. His experiences on these expeditions formed the basis for many of his popular books, including “My Family and Other Animals,” “Birds, Beasts, and Relatives,” and “The Garden of the Gods.” These books, which humorously recount his childhood on the Greek island of Corfu, have captivated readers worldwide. In addition to his literary work, Durrell was a pioneer in the field of captive breeding, emphasizing the importance of zoos in conservation efforts. His dedication to animal welfare and conservation led to numerous awards and honors throughout his life. Gerald Durrell passed away on January 30, 1995, in Jersey, Channel Islands, after a long illness. His legacy continues through the work of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which remains active in global conservation efforts.

5 Interesting Facts about Gerald Durrell

1. Gerald Durrell wrote over 30 books, many of which are autobiographical and focus on his love for wildlife.

2. He founded the Jersey Zoo with the primary aim of breeding endangered species and reintroducing them into the wild.

3. Durrell’s first major expedition was to Cameroon in 1947, which was funded by the sale of his first book, “The Overloaded Ark.”

4. He was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1982 for his services to conservation.

5. Durrell’s work inspired the creation of numerous television programs and documentaries, bringing wildlife conservation issues to a broader audience.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gerald Durrell

1. “A house is not a home until it has a dog.”

2. “The world is as delicate and as complicated as a spider’s web, and like a spider’s web, if you touch one thread you send shudders running through all the other threads that make up the web.”

3. “Animals generally return the love you lavish on them by a swift bite in passing—not unlike friends and wives.”

4. “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time.”

5. “The best way of getting over the loss of someone or something you love is to concentrate on something you love even more.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gerald Durrell’s highest net worth is not widely documented, but his significant contributions to literature and wildlife conservation have left a lasting legacy that goes beyond monetary value.