The Modern Noah – Gerald Durrell’s Mission to Save Endangered Animals

Abstract

Gerald Durrell was a pioneer of captive breeding programmes and modern zoos. He insisted that the existence of any zoo is justified only if it meets three basic criteria: conservation, animal welfare, and education. The primary aim of zoos should be to save endangered species. Enclosures should enable the animals to express their natural behaviour. Zoos have to inspire visitors to respect animals and take action to protect them. Gerald Durrell, the self-taught naturalist turned conservationist introduced captive breeding as a conservation tool and he drew people’s attention to the wonders of the animal kingdom.