Home / Environment / Durrell's Rare Species Find New Home at NMS
Durrell's Rare Species Find New Home at NMS
19 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Over 550 rare species specimens donated to National Museums Scotland.
- Donation includes critically endangered mountain chicken frog.
- Collection features zebra duiker antelope skin from Sierra Leone.
National Museums Scotland (NMS) is now home to a remarkable collection of over 550 specimens and samples, gifted by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. This significant donation enriches NMS's esteemed natural sciences collection, which boasts a 300-year history. The specimens will be available for critical scientific research, offering new insights into endangered species.
Among the donated items is a specimen of the critically endangered mountain chicken frog. This amphibian is a symbol of conservation urgency, with an estimated mere 23 individuals remaining in the wild on Dominica as of 2023. The collection also includes the skin of a zebra duiker, an antelope species vital to understanding biodiversity.
Gerald Durrell, a renowned conservationist and founder of Jersey Zoo, passed away in 1995. His legacy in wildlife advocacy continues through the trust. This donation, made during the centenary of his birth, underscores the trust's commitment to conservation science and protecting species from extinction.
