Durrell’s Agile Frog Programme shortlisted for national award

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has been shortlisted for the Great British Wildlife Restoration Awards. The awards are a prestigious scheme organised by BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), with the aim of shining a spotlight on some of the amazing work taking place to tackle the drastic decline of native species, whilst also urging politicians to act now for nature.

Durrell has been recognised for its Agile Frog programme, which it has been working on for over 20 years. Jersey is the only place in the British Isles with a population of agile frogs. One of only three native amphibian species in Jersey, the agile frogs found on the island are genetically different to other agile frogs due to their geographical separation from the populations in mainland Europe.

Conservation work to save the agile frog and safeguard the species’ future started with a Species Action Plan developed in 2001. Having steadily declined to just two locations on the island by the 1980s, the species was reduced to just one breeding site following a pesticide spill in 1987.

While the Government of Jersey’s Department of Natural Environment looks after the habitat at Ouaisne Common through maintenance, protection and regular monitoring, and creating new ponds in the vicinity, Durrell carries out annual head-starting of frogspawn to boost the population.

Raising the tadpoles in a bio-secure converted shipping container at Jersey Zoo protects them during their most vulnerable stage, meaning more of the population survives once Durrell releases them into the wild. To date, Durrell has head-started over 75,000 tadpoles to metamorphosis and released them back into Ouaisne, Noirmont, and Beauport ponds.

The Agile Frog programme will now compete against the other entries for votes and the attention of Members of UK Parliament who will decide a winner in January next year. Durrell joins 26 other shortlisted projects. Together these projects demonstrate the sheer range of activities by zoos and aquariums across Britain to protect and restore our native species and bring people closer to nature.

Speaking about this recognition, Emma Michel, Herpetology & Invertebrate Team Leader and Durrell’s lead for Agile frog head-starting commented: “Being shortlisted for our Jersey Agile Frog programme is amazing recognition for us. Due to biosecurity reasons, we take care of our agile frog tadpoles far away from our visitors, so the light rarely gets to shine on this project. As an organisation, Durrell puts a lot of work into the conservation of endangered species all around the world, but it is just as important to preserve the biodiversity on our doorstep. Our dedicated staff put a lot of time, passion and some frozen toes into it. Our motivation is to know that without this contribution, the species would have probably completely disappeared from Jersey by now. With a new species action plan agreed with our partners in 2024, we will keep developing the project to increase the population of this wonderful Jersey native frog.”

Andy Hall, BIAZA’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager and the founder of the Great British Wildlife Restoration Awards said: “These amazing projects are just a snapshot of the decades of dedicated work that conservationists are putting into our great British wildlife. It’s up to all of us to make a difference and make sure future generations will live in a better and wilder world.”

As a shortlisted project, Durrell will be invited to a special awards evening at the House of the Speaker of the House of Commons in January 2026. The winner will have received the most votes from supportive Members of Parliament or Members of the House of Lords.

Durrell would like to add its thanks to The Jersey Ecology Trust Fund who have offered this project support over the last few years.