Durrell Wildlife Park

Durrell Wildlife Park, set in beautiful parkland in the north of Jersey, is one of the world's most celebrated conservation zoos, founded in 1959 by the beloved naturalist and author Gerald Durrell with a pioneering mission: to save species from extinction. Rather than a traditional zoo, it is a working centre for the breeding and conservation of rare and endangered animals, its lush, landscaped grounds home to lowland gorillas, orangutans, playful Madagascan lemurs, Andean bears, exotic birds, reptiles and amphibians, many of them threatened in the wild. Spacious, green and thoughtfully designed, with a strong educational message, Durrell offers a delightful and meaningful day out and a genuine pioneer of wildlife conservation.

What you actually see

• The gorillas - the celebrated lowland gorilla family.
• The orangutans - the great apes in landscaped enclosures.
• The lemurs - the playful Madagascan lemurs.
• The conservation mission - the pioneering work saving species.

When to go

April to September brings the mildest, driest weather and the most active animals, ideal for a full day in the green parkland; spring and summer see the gardens at their best. The park is open year-round, though the warmer months are most rewarding.

Honest expectations

Durrell is a conservation zoo, so its focus is the breeding and protection of endangered species rather than sheer numbers of animals, and, as with any wildlife park, sightings depend on the animals. As a beautiful, pioneering conservation centre founded by Gerald Durrell, home to rare gorillas, orangutans and lemurs in lush parkland, though, Durrell is a genuinely delightful and meaningful day out.

Nearby

The north-coast cliffs and the capital St Helier lie nearby.