The International Training Centre for Breeding
and Conservation of Endangered
Species
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Esther, an ITC student from Plateau State Forestry Corporation,
Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria
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In 1976 in The Stationary Ark, Gerald Durrell
wrote:-
"In our next step, we plan to form the Trust into a kind of
mini-university of wildlife husbandry and breeding ... ."
THE STATIONARY ARK © Gerald Durrell 1976
His vision was that students from all over the world would be
able to attend to study techniques of wildlife preservation through captive
breeding and in the wild. They would become another part of "Gerald Durrell's
Army" by taking these techniques back to their own countries to put into
practice.
In 1978 the first trainee arrived and since then well over 1000
students from over 100 countries have attended.
The ITC is located in an old granite farmhouse called
"Les Noyers", adjacent to Jersey Zoo.
In 1998, in 'Gerald Durrell: The Authorised Biography', the
Author Douglas Botting was to say this:-
" ... probably Gerald Durrell's greatest achievement. It is
still virtually unique, and has spread the Jersey message and Jersey knowhow
around the world."..
GERALD DURRELL: THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY © Douglas Botting
1998
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"I am a member of the DWCT & I wondered if you know that members can
stay at the International Training Centre at Les Noyers? This as far as I
know is limited to members & their families but it is worth joining just
to get to stay at the Zoo.
I myself have stayed there for the past 2
years & it is fantastic. The Housekeeper provides superb home cooked
international cuisine & will cater to any dietary needs. PLUS There is
one hidden benefit that most people would jump at!"
If you'd like me to provide further details please email me back.
Paul Archer"
~
From "On The Edge" magazine Issue 98 Spring 2005 Page 4, entitled:
"Members are welcome too!
Coming to Jersey on holiday...? Then why don't you stay at Les Noyers and support the training programme at the same time!
Members and their families are now welcome to book single and double
rooms in Les Noyers when we are running courses overseas. This is a
great way to make a base on the Zoo's doorstep and take advantage of
the conservation library and 24hr. internet access as well as
supporting the training programme through your booking. We don't offer
luxury but a comfortable environment, excellent food tailored to your
requirements and ruffed lemur calls to wake you up in the morning! The
Zoo is also on the main bus route and so is a good place to start your
exploration of the island.
If you'd like to find out more about this new and exciting opportunity
at the ITC then please contact us at itc@durrell.org or contact Anne
Wimberley directly at: anne.wimberley@durrell.org or phone on 01534
860025 [See updated contact details below]"
***
"Anne Wimberley is the ITC housekeeper & she is a very nice person.
PLEASE NOTE: at least one person in a group has to be a member to
be eligible for this offer. Memberships are available on the website
& while you are there you get into the Zoo free every day by using
your membership card.
I have slightly altered the text above as it originally said to look
for details on the Durrell website, but I have never found any details
of this offer there. You would know of it too if it were there I'm sure!
As I mentioned previously I have stayed there twice - once in 2005
where I was the first person to stay there under this offer. &
again in 2006. It seems that very few people have stayed there under
the offer & if the situation continues - they might decide to stop
doing it altogether. For the last 2 years there have been courses at
the ITC while I was there but the students on both occasions were
staying at a hostel some distance away, so I think that availability
should be good at most times of the year but people should of course
check availability for the dates they require.
The accommodation is "Student type" so there are beds & bunk beds
in the rooms - In the rooms I stayed in there were 2 single beds &
1 bunk type bed so they could accommodate a family of 4. There were
also a couple of armchairs & a study table & chairs. The
toilets, showers & washbasins are in a separate area, so dressing
gowns are necessary for modesty. Each room is named after an extinct
species. While I was there I was allowed to go into the Zoo "out of
hours" both in the evenings & early mornings & that is an
experience in itself but it is not necessarily a right for all people.
It may be that since I was the only one there & therefore
manageable, they bent the rules a little. Note: Not all of the
animals can be seen out of hours - the Gorillas & Orangs are bedded
down & locked in early as they are far too valuable &
vulnerable to be left unattended.
If people want to get in touch with me for more info or my impressions
/ anecdotes I am happy for you to publish my email address, but please
mention that I may not be able to reply immediately but I will do so as
soon as I can. If several people are interested in meeting up at the
Zoo on a particular week, It is possible I could go at the same time
& act as an unofficial free guide.
... I am supplying this information purely as a Trust member & I am not
an employee of the Trust & ... the Trust has the right to withdraw the
offer at any time ...
If you require any further info please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Regards
Paul Archer"
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paul.archer11@ntlworld.com
8th January 2007"
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