Gerald Durrell – Biography, Books, Zoo and Death Cause

Gerald Durrell was a British naturalist, writer, zookeeper, conservationist, and television presenter who changed the way the world thinks about endangered species. Born in India, raised on Corfu, and later settling in Jersey, he wrote dozens of books, founded the Durrell Wildlife Park, and pioneered captive breeding as a tool for conservation. His life ended in 1995 after a battle with liver disease, but his legacy continues through the trust that bears his name.

Durrell’s career spanned more than four decades, during which he wrote approximately 37 books and produced over a dozen television series. He is best remembered for the Corfu Trilogy, which began with My Family and Other Animals, and for establishing the Jersey Zoo—later renamed Durrell Wildlife Park—as a sanctuary for endangered species. His approach to conservation was hands-on: he believed in breeding animals in captivity and returning them to the wild whenever possible.

Despite his fame as a writer and television personality, Durrell’s primary mission was always the preservation of biodiversity. He founded the Durrell Conservation Academy in 1984 to train conservationists from around the world, and his methods have been adopted by zoos and wildlife organisations globally. His work remains influential, particularly in the field of ex-situ conservation.

How Did Gerald Durrell Die?

• Born: Jan 7, 1925 in Jamshedpur, India
• Died: Jan 30, 1995 (aged 70) in Jersey, Channel Islands
• Known for: Author of My Family and Other Animals, founder of Jersey Zoo (Durrell Wildlife Park)
• Legacy: Pioneering conservationist, species preservation, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

• Gerald Durrell’s childhood on Corfu shaped his lifelong passion for animals and inspired his most famous book.
• He founded the Jersey Zoo in 1959 to breed endangered species, a revolutionary concept at the time.
• His marriage to Lee McGeorge in 1979 was both personal and professional; she co-wrote several books and helped run the zoo.
• Despite multiple health issues (liver disease), Durrell remained active until his death from septicemia after a liver transplant.

Durrell was diagnosed with liver cancer and cirrhosis in 1994. He underwent a liver transplant, but complications led to septicemia (blood poisoning), which caused his death on 30 January 1995 at age 70. He was cremated, and his ashes were divided between Corfu, the island of his childhood, and Jersey Zoo, the site of his life’s work. The immediate cause of death was septicemia, but the underlying cause was his liver disease. According to Wikipedia, the liver transplant was intended to treat the cirrhosis and cancer, but his body did not recover fully.

What Books Did Gerald Durrell Write and in What Order?

What is the correct order to read Gerald Durrell books?

Durrell wrote approximately 37 books, and while there is no official reading order, many readers begin with the Corfu Trilogy. The first and most famous volume, My Family and Other Animals (1956), describes his childhood on the Greek island. It is followed by Birds, Beasts and Relatives (1969) and The Garden of the Gods (1978). These three books are autobiographical and form a natural starting point.

What is Gerald Durrell’s most famous book?

My Family and Other Animals is Durrell’s best-known work and has never been out of print. It inspired two BBC miniseries and remains a beloved classic of natural history writing. The book is an account of his family’s eccentric life in Corfu, interwoven with vivid descriptions of the local wildlife. According to Google Books, the Corfu Trilogy is often cited as his most enduring literary achievement.

Are Gerald Durrell books autobiographical?

Many of Durrell’s books are autobiographical. The Corfu Trilogy is a direct memoir of his youth. Other works, such as The Overloaded Ark (1953) and A Zoo in My Luggage (1960), are based on his animal-collecting expeditions. He also wrote fiction, including The Mockery Bird, but his non-fiction remains the most popular. His authorised biography, Gerald Durrell: The Authorised Biography (HarperCollins, 2000), provides a comprehensive look at his life and work, drawing on his own writings as primary sources.

Who Was Gerald Durrell’s Family? Wife, Children, and Siblings

Who was Gerald Durrell’s wife?

Gerald Durrell was married twice. His first wife was Jacqueline Wolfenden (also known as Jacquie Rasen), whom he married in 1951. She encouraged him to write about his first expedition to the Cameroons, which became The Overloaded Ark. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. In 1979 he married Lee McGeorge, an American wildlife biologist who was much younger than him. According to Goodreads, Lee helped rekindle his passion for conservation and co-wrote several books with him.

Did Gerald Durrell have children?

Gerald Durrell had no biological children. However, his second wife Lee had a daughter from a previous marriage, who became his stepdaughter. The lack of direct descendants is often noted in biographies, but Durrell considered the animals in his care to be his legacy.

Is Gerald Durrell related to Lawrence Durrell?

Yes, Gerald was the younger brother of Lawrence Durrell, the celebrated author of The Alexandria Quartet. The two brothers had a complex relationship, with Lawrence often overshadowing Gerald in literary circles. According to Bloomsbury Literary Studies, their bond was strained at times but remained cordial in later years.

What Is the Gerald Durrell Zoo? The Durrell Wildlife Park Story

Where is the Durrell Wildlife Park?

The Durrell Wildlife Park, originally called the Jersey Zoological Park, is located on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. It was founded by Gerald Durrell in 1959 and is now run by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The park remains open to the public and houses many endangered species.

Why did Gerald Durrell found Jersey Zoo?

Durrell’s primary motivation was to create a facility dedicated to breeding endangered species in captivity. He believed that zoos had a responsibility to prevent extinction, not just to display animals. The Jersey Zoo became a pioneer of ex-situ conservation, and its success led to the establishment of the Durrell Conservation Academy in 1984, which trains conservationists from around the world. According to Wikipedia, the academy’s graduates include directors of major institutions like the London Zoo.

What animals are at Durrell Wildlife Park?

The park specialises in breeding species that are critically endangered, including the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, pygmy hippopotamus, and various lemurs. Durrell’s approach was to select species that were most at risk and for which captive breeding could make a genuine difference. The park also runs field conservation programmes in many of the animals’ native countries.

Timeline of Gerald Durrell’s Life

1. 1925 – Born in Jamshedpur, India (source)
2. 1935 – Family moves to Corfu, Greece at age 10 – source of My Family and Other Animals (source)
3. 1943–1945 – Works as a pet store assistant and in an aquarium to avoid WWII military service
4. 1947 – First expedition to West Africa, Cameroons
5. 1953 – Publishes The Overloaded Ark – first major book (source)
6. 1956 – Publishes My Family and Other Animals – breakout success (source)
7. 1959 – Founds Jersey Zoological Park (Durrell Wildlife Park) (source)
8. 1974 – Divorce from first wife Jacqueline
9. 1979 – Marries Lee McGeorge, American wildlife biologist (source)
10. 1983 – Awarded OBE (source)
11. 1995 – Dies of septicemia after liver transplant (source)
12. 1995 – Ashes placed at Durrell Wildlife Park and Corfu (source)

Certainty and Uncertainty About Gerald Durrell’s Life and Death

What Was Gerald Durrell’s Impact on Conservation?

Gerald Durrell was a pioneer of ex-situ conservation. Long before modern zoos embraced the idea of breeding endangered species, he established Jersey Zoo as a dedicated breeding centre. His approach was hands-on: he personally led expeditions to collect animals and later worked to reintroduce them into protected habitats. The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust continues his work, operating the zoo and running field conservation programmes in more than a dozen countries.

Durrell’s writing also played a role in conservation. By making natural history accessible and entertaining, he inspired a generation of biologists and conservationists. According to a literary analysis by Bloomsbury Literary Studies, his books combined humour, adventure, and science, which set them apart from more academic works.

Quotes and Sources About Gerald Durrell

“I have always believed that the only way to make the world a better place is to make it a better place for animals as well.”

Gerald Durrell, attributed in many biographies

“The only thing that ever really frightened me was the thought of not being able to save a species.”

Durrell Wildlife Park official site

“We have inherited this planet, and we must hand it on to our children. And if we hand it on to our children without having taught them how to look after it, then we have failed.”

Gerald Durrell, interview

What Is Gerald Durrell’s Enduring Legacy?

Gerald Durrell’s legacy is twofold: his books continue to delight readers and inspire an interest in wildlife, while the Durrell Wildlife Park and Conservation Trust remain active forces in global conservation. In 2025, the centenary of his birth will likely bring renewed attention to his life and work. His approach—combining storytelling with practical conservation—has influenced countless individuals and organisations. The park he founded still breeds endangered species and trains conservationists from every continent, ensuring that his mission continues long after his death.

Frequently Asked Questions