Matt Thomas, CEO of Ports of Jersey, said: The team at Durrell were also pleased to announce the Presenting Partners for Tortoise Takeover are Blue Islands and Ports of Jersey. With your support, we can create an event that will have significant impact during the summer of 2023.”

Tortoise Takeover is a fantastic opportunity for businesses, the creative sector and communities to come together and create something very special for Jersey. “We are very excited to continue our partnership with Durrell.

Next year, dozens of artist-imagined, giant tortoises will adorn Jersey’s wild places, coastal lookouts, and urban hangouts.Ĭharlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art, commented: The team that brought you Go Wild Gorillas in 2019 will once again be partnering with Wild in Art to inspire Islanders and visitors to explore Jersey and connect with nature via this vibrant sculpture trail. “Tortoise Takeover will mark the launch of our campaign to raise funds to build a new Tropical House, which will allow our team to continue the exemplary care they provide for these precious species into the future.” Furthermore, the amphibian and reptile house at Jersey Zoo is home to some of the most endangered species that Durrell works with, but it is in urgent need of improved and more sustainable facilities. Sadly, chelonians, which includes tortoises, turtles and terrapins, are now the most threatened vertebrate group and need help more than ever. Not only are these ancient creatures important actors in their ecosystems, but they also hold key cultural values across multiple countries.” From the highly endangered ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar to the amazing Aldabra giant tortoises that we deploy on Round Island off the north coast of Mauritius to act as ‘ecological engineers’, Durrell has a long history of working with tortoises. “This time, the trail will feature incredible giant tortoises.

Go wild gorillas jersey