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Durrell's Tortoise Takeover has officially started, with 65 'young' tortoises let loose around the island. Here's where you can find them...
The Young Tortoise Trail has gone live two weeks ahead of the main trail, with 65 tiny tortoises designed and decorated by local schools, charities, and community groups having popped up in shop windows across St. Helier.
The aim of the Tortoise Takeover – whose main trail of 'giant' tortoise sculptures decorated by different artists will go live at the beginning of July – is to raise funds to build a new Tropical House at Jersey Zoo. Once the trail is over, all of the large sculptures will be auctioned to raise money.
WATCH: The launch of the young tortoise trail.
The trails will last until September. At the end, the young tortoises will join their larger counterparts for a 'farewell' weekend at Jersey Zoo.
After that, they will return home to live with their adopted schools and community groups.
31 schools and 23 community groups across the island contributed to the Young Tortoise Trial, which was made possible by Tortoise Takeover Education Partner, RBC, and Community Partner, BDO and C5.
Pictured: Young Tortoises 'Bette' from the Jerrais Teaching Service painted by Plat Douet Reception (top left), "Rain-Beau" by Les Landes School (top right) , "Rocktoise" by First Tower School" (bottom left) and "John" from St Johns school (bottom right).
Fiona Marchant, Conservation Learning Manager at Durrell, said: “Tortoise Takeover has given Jersey Zoo’s Learning Department a great opportunity to engage with people from right across Jersey.
"The creative efforts and enthusiasm from all of the participating schools and community groups has been fantastic to see. Now that the trail is ready to go we hope that everyone loves the beautiful designs and that we can all spend the summer exploring the island as a community!”
Gareth Hughes, Headmaster at Victoria College, added: “We have been thrilled to take part in the young Tortoise Takeover trail initiative this year at Victoria College. So many of our students took the opportunity to get creative on the tortoise designs. It was a joy to then see older and younger children working collaboratively to bring those designs to life.
"Durrell is a wonderful charity and our community also loved being able to support its valuable conservation work through raising awareness of their work and fundraising. We now can't wait to see our colourful little tortoises heading out around the island this summer!”
Where to find the young tortoises around St. Helier...
Bailiwick Express is the official media partner for the Tortoise Takeover. Sign up to our FREE daily news email to make sure you never miss an update.
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