 
Information taken from
Introduction[]
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international charity working globally towards our mission of saving species from extinction. Committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of the life on earth, Durrell has developed a worldwide reputation for its pioneering conservation techniques.
Working with a wide range of international partners, we combine the skills of our staff at our wildlife park, in our field programmes and our International Training Centre to save some of the most threatened species in the most threatened places.
Headquartered in Jersey, the International Training Centre also supports the development of future conservationists and has educated over 1,800 graduates from around 122 countries
Training[]
Durrell has been running unique courses in good conservation practice since 1978, when Gerald Durrell created what he called “a mini-university” at the Durrell wildlife park (formely known as Jersey Zoo), to provide intensive training to conservation practitioners worldwide.
Many students are scientists from developing countries who are in a prime position to save animals from extinction. There are now more than 1800 Durrell graduates from around 122 countries.
http://www.durrell.org/Training/Courses/
Volunteers[]
Around the world, Durrell is supported by hundreds of volunteers, without whom our work would grind to a halt. Whether it's helping to hand-rear chicks in Mauritius; assisting our tortoise breeding in Madagascar or giving guided tours of our Jersey headquarters, the donation of our volunteers' time is invaluable to us.
We are always looking for volunteers to help us with our activities in Jersey. Our volunteer programme is restricted to Jersey residents, aged 16 or over, who are able to make a regular commitment. The areas in which we most need help are:-
- Events
- Guided tours
- Landscape
- Organic farm
- Maintenance
- Children's parties
- Food preparation
- General office
- Printed material mailings
If you live in Jersey, Channel Islands, and would like to volunteer at our Jersey site, please print off the following Application Form (click here to open), fill it in and post it to the address shown on the form.
Student work experience placements[]
Durrell is delighted to be able to offer a limited number of student work experience placements. Placements are offered for a minimum two month period throughout the year by application. A typical placement will see the student assisting with routine tasks on section such as food preparation, enclosure cleaning, animal feeding, behavioural observations, animal handling, enclosure maintenance and assisting with veterinary procedures. There are opportunities to learn practical captive husbandry skills (nutritional requirements, environmental requirements, normal behaviour, reproductive management etc). Students will also learn about the species biology and conservation issues relating to each species worked.
There are also placements available in both the Landscape, Maintenance and Marketing departments.
The landscape department provides an opportunity for students to learn landscape design within the grounds, pruning techniques, lawn care and the managing of our tropical exhibit. There is also the Organic Farm where students will be involved with both planting and harvesting of crops for the animals using organic farming methods. Students must prove a keenness to learn horticulture or organic farming in order to be given a placement within this diverse department.
Our Maintenance Department provide placements for students who are interested in acquiring painting skills, basic carpentry and building techniques within a unique setting both inside the grounds and at the Durrell workshop.
The marketing department provides students with the opportunity to learn how to promote and fundraise for a conservation charity. Placement activities range from helping to prepare and facilitate events at our Jersey HQ to being involved in implementing the marketing strategy.
To see if you are suitable to apply for a placement please review the following guidelines.
Students must be:
- a minimum of 18 years of age
- able to stay for a minimum of 2 months
- studying a University degree related to animals for example zoology or animal behaviour
- completely self funding
- must find their own accommodation, Durrell can only provide a list of suitable places.
- If students will be conducting project work as part of the placement it must be approved by Durrell in advance.
- Students must be self-starters and the project work must be completed without too much assistance from Durrell staff members.
If you are interested in further details or finding out about the application process please contact Catherine Burrows at Catherine.Burrows@durrell.org for further information.