Zoo founder honoured with sea of flower sculptures

Thousands of flower sculptures are now on display at Jersey Zoo to mark 100 years since its founder was born.

A meadow of 5,000 flower sculptures, made as a tribute to the man behind the zoo, conservationist Gerald Durrell, who died in 1995, has been installed at the zoo by artist Stuart Temple.

Shortly after his death, Mr Durrell's wife, Lee, was made honorary director of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which operates the park.

She said the art installation was "fabulous" and "a celebration of wildflowers".

"From looking at Gerry's writings we found out what his favourite wildflowers were," she told BBC Radio Jersey.

"A lot of those exhibited will be of those flowers, and so it's all part and parcel of nature, animals, and plants."

Jersey Zoo said the plants - made from 100% renewable plant-based ingredients -would be on display until 30 September.

"Planting 5,000 of anything is a total mission," said Mr Temple.

He added: "It's been a lot of work but I've got them all in the ground and I hope people really enjoy seeing them."

Mr Temple said he wanted people to take a flower from the display because it "supports the ongoing work" of Durrell around the world.

"I want people to think about how important the natural world around us is, and the danger that these habitats are facing, and about the species we're trying to save."

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