Monday 14 April 2025
To help us celebrate Gerald Durrell's centenary year, we've been collecting stories about Gerry from our supporters. Thank you to Rob Kellough, Brian Pasby, Stephen Hill, and Rachel M for these first four.
You can submit your own memories of Gerry here.
Rob Kellough
In 1980, having recently graduated with a Biology degree from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, I had the brilliant idea of writing to Gerald Durrell hoping he would hire me as a zoo keeper. That just goes to show how little I knew about zoos or the working world in general. Much to my amazement both he and Jeremy Mallinson took the time to reply to my outrageous request! Gerry explained in the kindest possible way that as I had no experience, he couldn't offer me a job, but I could apply for a training course. Jeremy followed up with a lovely letter and an application package. One year later, I was lucky enough to train at Durrell (then the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust) and even did a short stint as a relief keeper due to a sports-related injury to a staff member.
Gerry and Lee were filming ‘Ark On The Move’ and were away quite often, but whenever he was home, we would usually see him early in the morning before the zoo opened to the public. He always took the time to stop and talk to the trainees and ask us how we were settling in.
My time at Jersey Zoo was a transformational event and set the pattern for the rest of my life. I went on the become Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at the Reptile Breeding Foundation in Prince Edward County, Ontario, an opportunity that would have never happened without Durrell and Gerry Durrell. What more can I say but thank you, Gerry.
Brian Pasby
I had just completed a Zoology degree and got married. We came to Jersey on a camping holiday and visited Jersey Zoo where I met my idol, asked for a job, and offered a pet caiman which was getting a bit aggressive. No job, but he wanted the caiman. My parents were coming over for a holiday - not camping - and I persuaded my poor mother to bring the caiman over. It was a horror show for my poor mum who vomited the whole night on the ferry with the caiman in a bag. When we met them the next morning, she was so angry. "Don't you ever, ever ask me to do anything like that again!"
Off we went to the zoo where Gerry gave the honeymooners a tour of the animals and appropriately discussed their mating habits in some detail. 50 years later, we visited again to find the zoo in full swing, but no caiman. I am sure it had a productive life. I am ancient and now retired to Florida so unfortunately probably won't visit again.
Stephen Hill
I was very fortunate to meet Gerry when I was a student at Whitehaven, Cumberland Grammar School. It would probably be about 1964, and Gerry was doing a tour. He had with him a bushbaby and another mammal (I think it was a ring-tailed lemur). I had just finished reading 'Three Singles to Adventure', so I was especially excited to meet Gerry personally! Then for English Literature 'O' Level exam in 1969, 'My Family and other Animals’ couldn't have been better! Long live Gerry in mine and others memories. Best wishes to all at Jersey Zoo.
Rachel M
My English teacher, Miss Harris, introduced me to My Family and Other Animals by setting it as our reading book when I was 11 years old. She said, "I think you'll love our next book", and she was right. I started to collect more of Gerald's novels, delighting in each one. They are still the only series of books I've collected, read and kept.
Three years later, still a huge fan, the school open weekend drew near. In assembly the headmistress announced plans for the 'orphans' as she used to callously call those with nowhere to go. With my parents being abroad, I was one of these. However, I was due to spend the weekend with my best friend's family. The headmistress announced that the orphans would go to a talk by Gerald Durrell at Oxford Town Hall. I was devastated. Raised politely not to renege on the first invitation you received, I was going to miss out on seeing my hero and hearing his talk. I looked at my friend, she looked at me and mouthed, "Go, it's okay". I was thrilled. I stayed at the almost empty school all weekend, not minding being an orphan because I was going to see my hero.
On Saturday evening, we headed down Headington Hill to the Town Hall. I managed to get a seat, not only in the front row, but next to Gerald's wife, Lee. I was delighted. I sat staring at Gerald, not wanting to miss a word or a flourish of his pencil as he drew the animals about which he talked. I had my pocket money, and I was, naively, hoping to buy one of his pictures, being auctioned for his charity. Naturally, my couple of pounds was nowhere near enough. However, I did get his autograph, and he looked down at me with his kind eyes and a smile. In those days, we didn't do selfies, we had an autograph book. No-one else was ever allowed to write on that page!
On the way back to school, I was easily the most annoying super fan, waxing lyrical about his talk, his work, the zoo, his books, etc. Finally, 40 years later, I'm getting to visit Jersey and Les Augres Manor in person. Great timing with it being such an auspicious year. I'll probably be just as annoying for my family!