Catch me a colobus

Catch Me a Colobus documents Gerald Durrell’s twin efforts to expand the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and conduct animal collection expeditions in West Africa and Mexico. The narrative details the logistical hurdles of securing black-and-white colobus monkeys in Sierra Leone and the subsequent challenges of breeding endangered volcanoes rabbits and thick-billed parrots in captivity. Durrell outlines his philosophy on the zoo's role as a stationary ark, focusing on scientific observation, diet optimization, and the physical construction of specialized enclosures intended to prevent the extinction of vulnerable species.

This book serves naturalists, zookeepers, and readers interested in the practical history of wildlife conservation. It provides a technical yet humorous look at the daily realities of animal husbandry and the financial difficulties of running an independent zoo. Readers gain a clear understanding of the transition from Victorian-era specimen collecting to modern conservation biology. The text offers specific insights into animal behavior and the specific environmental requirements needed to successfully rear wild creatures outside their native habitats.