Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction
Witness History

Gerald Durrell's mission to save species from extinction

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 19, 202610 min
  • Documentary

In 1959, British conservationist and author Gerald Durrell opened the gates to a zoo with one clear aim - to save endangered species from extinction. Gerald had grown up fascinated by the natural world and had spent years travelling across the globe, collecting animals for major zoos in the United Kingdom. It was during these trips that he saw just how quickly the animals he loved were disappearing. He witnessed habitats being destroyed and species being pushed to extinction. Then came his idea of a zoo that would do more than simply display animals...

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1:15

If that sounds like something you'd listen to, subscribe wherever you get your BBC podcasts and turn on your notifications so you never miss an episode. Today we're going back to the spring of 1959, when one small zoo redefined how endangered species would be protected.

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