Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

What Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust does

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international non-profit conservation organisation headquartered in Jersey, Channel Islands, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell in 1959 (charitable trust formally established 1963). Its core asset is Jersey Zoo, a 32-acre parkland facility housing over 100 species, which functions simultaneously as a visitor attraction, captive-breeding centre, and operational hub for global field programmes spanning Jersey, the UK, Madagascar, Mauritius, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Saint Lucia, and Montserrat. The trust operates an integrated model combining zoo-based species recovery, in-situ field conservation (directly managing 52,000+ hectares and co-managing 267,000 hectares of protected areas in Madagascar), community-based livelihoods programmes (330+ Village Savings and Loan Associations), and professional training delivered through the Durrell Conservation Academy, which has trained over 7,000 conservationists from 149 countries since 1984.

The trust generates income through a diversified portfolio of consumer-facing revenue streams — Jersey Zoo admissions (with group discounts up to 25%), recurring memberships from £4 per month, animal adoptions, an online retail shop, paid animal experiences priced £60–£120 per person, on-site hospitality (Durrell Wildlife Camp luxury glamping and budget hostel), in-person and online conservation training (DESMAN graduate certificate, bespoke courses, internships), conservation appeals, fundraising events such as Race For The Wild, and the seasonal Wild Immersion VR experience. Underlying technology is conventional: ASP.NET-based web infrastructure, a Jersey Zoo mobile app delivered via third-party partner n-gage.io, and conservation science and animal husbandry methodologies developed over six decades. The organisation holds three legal entities (Jersey parent plus wholly-owned UK and Scotland charitable companies limited by guarantee) and operates with 188 Jersey-based employees representing approximately 144 FTEs.

Strategic positioning is anchored by long-tenure institutional relationships — HRH The Princess Royal has been Patron since 1972, the Government of Madagascar partnership exceeds 40 years, and the board includes former senior executives from ZSL London, WCS, Chester Zoo, Google, HSBC, and the Norwegian Refugee Council. Key 2026 milestones include the April opening of a new gorilla house (nine times larger than the 1981 predecessor) and the January appointment of a Director of Zoo Operations recruited from Wildwood Trust and ZSL.

Name

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Legal name

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Website

https://durrell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a Jersey-based international non-profit founded in 1959, operating Jersey Zoo (100+ species) and running field conservation programmes across 10 countries, while delivering professional training to 7,000+ conservationists globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Zoo operations
• Captive breeding programs
• Endangered species recovery
• Conservation training

Headquarters

HQ city

Trinity

HQ country

Jersey

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Zoo Admissions: Revenue from visitor tickets to Jersey Zoo, including group discounts and special events.
2. Memberships: Recurring membership subscriptions providing unlimited zoo access, discounts, and exclusive benefits. Starting from £4 per month.
3. Donations and Fundraising: One-time and recurring donations, fundraising appeals, and major gifts from philanthropists.
4. Retail: Online shop and charity shop sales including clothing, books, toys, gifts, and animal-themed merchandise.
5. Animal Experiences: Paid animal encounter experiences including bird, fruit bat, lemur, meerkat, orangutan experiences, and reptile/amphibian tours priced at £60-£120.
6. Animal Adoptions: Virtual animal adoption programmes where supporters can adopt endangered species.
7. Training Courses: Conservation training programmes including the DESMAN course and bespoke programmes for universities and NGOs.
8. Accommodation: Durrell Wildlife Camp luxury glamping and budget hostel accommodation on-site at Jersey Zoo.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a non-profit charitable trust that operates Jersey Zoo, a 32-acre wildlife park housing over 100 species, and runs global species recovery and field conservation programmes. Its core offerings include paid zoo admissions, animal experiences (bird, fruit bat, lemur, orangutan, meerkat, reptile tours), memberships, animal adoptions, retail merchandise, on-site accommodation, and professional conservation training through the Durrell Conservation Academy (DESMAN course, internships, scholarships). All activities are designed to fund and support the charity's mission of saving species from extinction through captive breeding, rewilding, and community engagement.

Product overview

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust operates a unified platform combining visitor-facing attractions with conservation services. The core offering is Jersey Zoo (32 acres, 100+ species), supplemented by paid animal experiences, accommodation (Durrell Wildlife Camp luxury glamping and Hostel), and a retail shop. The Durrell Conservation Academy provides professional conservation training including the DESMAN graduate certificate, supported by scholarship programmes (Carl Jones Scholarship, Alison Jolly Scholarship Fund) and internship placements in Jersey and Mauritius. Additional revenue streams include memberships, animal adoptions, conservation appeals, and events such as Wild Immersion VR experience and Race For The Wild. The portfolio also includes an online shop selling wildlife-themed merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DESMAN: Durrell Endangered Species Management graduate certificate course at Durrell Conservation Academy
• Carl Jones Scholarship
• Alison Jolly Scholarship Fund

Products and services

• Jersey Zoo Visitor Attraction The core visitor attraction and headquarters of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, set in 32 acres of parkland housing over 100 animal species including western lowland gorillas, poison frogs, ploughshare tortoise, and black lion tamarin. Serves as a centre of excellence in animal husbandry, research, training, and education.
• Animal Experiences Paid up-close animal encounter experiences offered to visitors at Jersey Zoo, including Bird Experience (£60), Fruit Bat Experience (£60), Lemur Experience (£100), Orangutan Experience (£120), Meerkat Experience, and Reptile & Amphibian Tour. Excludes zoo admission. Targeted at zoo visitors seeking enhanced wildlife interactions.
• Durrell Wildlife Camp Luxury glamping accommodation featuring dome tents with 5-star surroundings, with entry to Jersey Zoo included as part of the stay. Targeted at visitors seeking an overnight wildlife experience.
• Durrell Wildlife Hostel Budget on-site accommodation at Jersey Zoo with direct access to the zoo and its animal residents. Targeted at budget-conscious visitors, students, and conservation trainees.
• Durrell Conservation Academy Training Programmes Professional training programmes for conservation practitioners including the DESMAN (Durrell Endangered Species Management) graduate certificate course, bespoke courses, internships, and veterinary placements. Delivered in Jersey, Mauritius, and Madagascar, with online components. Has trained over 7,000 conservationists from 149 countries. Targeted at aspiring and established conservationists seeking professional development.
• Durrell Memberships Annual membership subscription programme providing unlimited Jersey Zoo access, membership magazine, discounts in gift shop and cafés, exclusive membership perks, and access to special events. Starting from £4 per month. Targeted at regular visitors and conservation supporters.
• Animal Adoptions Symbolic animal adoption programmes allowing supporters to sponsor specific endangered species and receive updates. Targeted at supporters who want to make a tangible contribution to specific species conservation.
• Durrell Online Shop E-commerce platform selling books, clothing, accessories, soft toys, toys and puzzles, homeware, stationery, art prints, jewellery, and wildlife-themed gifts. Targeted at supporters worldwide seeking conservation-themed merchandise.
• Wild Immersion VR Experience Virtual reality experience at Jersey Zoo featuring immersive content including Serengeti, ocean, and worldwide wildlife scenes. Running April-September 2026 at £5 per person. Targeted at visitors and event attendees.
• Conservation Internships (Jersey Zoo, MIRI, Veterinary) Internship programmes including the 6-12 month Jersey Zoo Internships providing hands-on conservation experience, the Mauritius Island Restoration Internships (MIRI) supporting island restoration, and Veterinary Placement at Jersey Zoo's veterinary department for zoological and conservation medicine experience.
• Race For The Wild Annual 13km run across Jersey supporting Durrell's conservation work, with proceeds going to global conservation efforts. Targeted at fundraisers and community supporters.
• New Gorilla House at Jersey Zoo New state-of-the-art gorilla house at Jersey Zoo, nine times larger than the previous enclosure. Features two large indoor viewing spaces, eight dens, dedicated training and weighing areas, temperature/humidity control systems, deep bark chip flooring for foraging, climbing structures up to five metres high, ropes and platforms, and research balconies with CCTV. Supported by the 2019 Go Wild Gorillas public fundraising trail (£1.1 million) and Government of Jersey Fiscal Fund.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of conservation work in Madagascar with 52,000+ hectares directly managed and 267,000 hectares co-managed
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mauritian Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership in Mauritius established in 2014 for training delivery. Combines Durrell's training knowledge with MWF's local expertise for conservation capacity building in the Southwest Indian Ocean region. Includes running the Mauritius Island Restoration Internship (MIRI) programme.
• National Parks and Conservation Service of Mauritius GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Government partnership for training delivery in Mauritius, working to build capacity for effective conservation throughout the Southwest Indian Ocean region.
• Government of MadagascarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 40 years of conservation partnership with the Government of Madagascar to protect the island's wildlife and ecosystems. Durrell directly manages over 52,000 hectares of protected areas and co-manages 267,000 hectares. Celebrated 40+ years of partnership in 2026.
• British Embassy MadagascarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerH.E. Patrick Lynch, British Ambassador to Madagascar hosted the ceremony celebrating Durrell's 40+ years in Madagascar. UK government supports conservation work in Madagascar.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrankfurt Zoo participates in EAZA ex-situ breeding programmes for mountain chicken frog and Montserrat oriole, with keeper exchange supported by Durrell.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Zoological Society of London (ZSL): Operates London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, runs field conservation programmes in 50+ countries, and delivers professional conservation training. Several Durrell trustees and the Director of Zoo Operations came from ZSL, and both compete in the same BIAZA/EAZA ecosystem.
• Marwell Wildlife: UK zoo and conservation charity operating Marwell Zoo with overseas programmes in Africa and Central Asia. A peer zoo-conservation trust of similar scale, with shared BIAZA membership and a comparable donor/supporter base.
• Chester Zoo: One of the UK's largest zoos and conservation charities, operating a major visitor attraction while funding in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes globally. Highly comparable to Durrell as a zoo-led conservation charity with professional training programmes and international field work.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): US-headquartered zoo-based conservation organisation running Bronx Zoo plus global field programmes. Directly comparable to Durrell's integrated zoo + field conservation + training model, including ex-situ breeding and protected area management.
• Wild Planet Trust: Charitable trust running Paignton Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Living Coasts, and Devon nature reserves with conservation programmes. Its former Executive Director is now a Durrell board chair — strong institutional overlap and direct comparability.
• Wildwood Trust: Kent-based conservation charity operating a native wildlife park and rewilding projects (e.g., Wilder Blean). Recent employer of Durrell's incoming Director of Zoo Operations and operates in the same UK zoo-conservation niche.

Broad incumbents

• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): Long-established UK-headquartered species conservation NGO working in 40+ countries. Comparable on wildlife species recovery and field conservation, and a potential partner/competitor for institutional grants.
• WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature): Larger global conservation NGO operating field programmes in 100+ countries. Comparable on species protection and donor fundraising, though not zoo-led; competes for conservation grants and household donor attention.
• The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB): UK's largest nature conservation charity, operating visitor nature reserves and conservation programmes. Comparable in scale, membership-based supporter model, and UK conservation funding landscape (a former RSPB Scotland head now sits on Durrell's Scotland board).

Others

• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria): Industry association coordinating ex-situ breeding programmes (e.g., mountain chicken frog, Montserrat oriole) across European zoos including Durrell. Functions as an ecosystem enabler and standards body for zoo-based conservation rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/durrellwildlifeconservationtrust
• Facebookfacebook.com/DurrellWildlife
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust
• Instagraminstagram.com/durrell_jerseyzoo
• Xx.com/DurrellWildlife

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust