The Channel Island’s Civil Engineering Contractor
Discovery Desert - Meerkat, porcupine & yellow mongoose exhibit
One of Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust's most popular species has been relocated to a brand new enclosure, called Discovery Desert, whch greatly enhances visitor enjoyment, while guaranteeing no more attempted breaks for freedom from this skillful burrower!
The new meerkat exhibit opened in April 2009 and was the first of three exciting new developments in 2009 to mark Durrell's 50th anniversary. The two African crested porcupines native to mainland Arica joined the meerkats not long after the exhibit opened and once the yellow mongooses have finished their quarantine period they will also join the meerkats at this exhibit which will be in November.
The design for the meerkat exhibit has been produced in-house, by Richard Johnstone-Scott (Head of Mammals), with the engineering work being expertly led by Geomarine and work on the indoor accomodation and outdoor areas being carried out by Durrell's Maintenance and Landscape Departments.
The JEC, Jersey Telecom, Granite Products, Pentagon, Creative Stone Castings, Normans, Hewdens and Barrette Plant Hire and many other local companies have kindly donated and discounted the cost of materials for Durrell.
Simon Boarder is Geomarine's Managing Director. 'Geomarine cares about its impact on the natural world and takes its responsibilities seriously. I'm sure I speak for all the management and staff of Geomarine who are proud to have been involved in this project and have been inspired by the dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism of the whole team at Durrell. We hope we can continue to work with them in the future.'
Funding for the majority of this work has been secured through sponsorship from the Association of Jersey Charities, the Trust's L'Assemblee des Gardens and the Thora Settlement Fund. The team at the capital campaign for the Trust's long term development.
