New enclosure for Durrell Lemurs
18 November 2009
LEMURS ON THE MOVE AT DURRELL
A team of volunteers from Fairbairn Private Bank pulled on their
decorating overalls this month to help prepare a new lemur
enclosure at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
The new purpose-built enclosure is due to open at the end of
November and will house four of Durrell’s ring-tailed lemurs and
its pair of red-fronted brown lemurs. Situated in the renovated
Walled Garden, the entire area is being transformed in order to
showcase Durrell’s conservation work in the highly threatened dry
forests of Madagascar.
Fairbairn Private Bank’s involvement with the ring-tailed lemurs
began last year when it became the first supporter of the Trust’s
newly developed animal sponsorship programme. This programme, which
is designed to engage corporate sponsors in a meaningful
relationship, demonstrates how business and Durrell can work
together.
The sponsorship enables Durrell to maintain the highest level of
animal welfare. However, the objective of the partnership is not
simply to pay towards the upkeep of the animals at the Trust, but
to develop ongoing support to the species in the wild.
Dr Tim Wright, lemur keeper at Durrell commented, “The lemur
enclosure is part of our brand new Kirindy Forest exhibit which
will allow us to showcase some of the incredible biodiversity of
Western Madagascar, and what Durrell is doing to conserve it. Our
lemurs will form a central part of the visitor experience, and we
are extremely grateful to Fairbairn Private Bank for its kind
sponsorship and support.”
Since choosing to support the familiar ring-tailed lemurs, the
bank has also been involved in a little match-making and sponsored
Durrell to introduce two new female lemurs from Chester Zoo to the
group. It is hoped that, given time and their new surroundings, the
group will begin to breed.
Ends
For further information:
Janet Taylor or Lesley Allegro, Fairbairn Private
Bank Tel: +44 (0)1624
645000
Caron Glover, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust,
Press Tel: +44 (0)1534 860026
Issued by:
Kara Hughes-Jones, Isle of Man Advertising and PR
Ltd Tel: +44 (0)1624 620440
Photographs available.
About Durrell
Over the course of the last 50 years, the Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust has built up a worldwide reputation for its
pioneering conservation techniques, developed under the leadership
of its founder, the late, renowned author and naturalist Gerald
Durrell. In all cases, the trust believes in working closely
with local communities and governments, forestry departments and
local stakeholders to tackle threats in ways that are effective,
sustainable and have the support of those living in these regions
and communities, which is vital for lasting success.
For more information on Durrell and its work to save species
from extinction, visit its website at http://www.durrell.org/.
About Fairbairn Private Bank
Fairbairn Private Bank operates a comprehensive private and
personal banking operation on behalf of a wide range of clients.
These include private individuals, non-trading companies, trusts,
governments and institutional investors. A full range of banking,
investment, trust and corporate services can be accessed through
its offices in the Isle of Man, Jersey, London and its
representative office in South Africa.
Fairbairn Private Bank is a member of the Old Mutual Group.
When referring to Fairbairn Private Bank – please ensure that
the company name is printed in full and not abbreviated.