The Best of Gerald Durrell by Gerald Durrell

So, to put his mind to ease and interact with some animals, the fourteen year old began working in a pet shop and visited the London zoo often. Fortunately for us, he wasn’t.įorced to move to England in 1939 because of World War II, Gerald had no room to put all the animals from Corfu in the family’s small apartment. His family, tired of the boy’s fascination, hoped that he was just going through a long phase. By ten, the young boy had captured and observed hundreds of animals.

His gathering of specimens, such as scorpions, spiders and a donkey, took up so much room and caused everyone so much discomfort, the spare room of the house was turned into Gerald’s place to store his animals, taxidermy projects and scientific equipment. In Corfu, he began his collection of animals. His family moved to Bournemouth when he was three and from there, to Corfu, Greece. “Zoo” was his first word, his mother claimed. In India, Gerald began his passion for animals. His father died while Gerald was a baby, leaving his mother to raise her four children alone. Gerald Malcolm Durrell was born in Jamshedpur, India, in 1925. My hero, a man who has done everything I hope to do, is Mr. Whatever the case, heroes are unbelievable people, who do, or have done, amazing things. Other heroes may have done wondrous things, such as saved lives, rescued people or walked around the world. Many people have heroes who are admired for incredible strength, courage or skill.

The Best of Gerald Durrell by Gerald Durrell