Vanishing Animals by Gerald Durrell

                   Vanishing Animals 

                                - Gerald Durrell

Gerald Durrell (1925 - 1995) was a naturalist, Zookeeper, author and television presenter. He was born at Jamshedpur in India. "Vanishing Animals" is an interesting piece of writing which introduces us to problems of the animals facing the threat of extinction. 

Gerald begins the essay calling the Pere David Deer as "refugees" in England. A French Missionary, Father David  discovered the existence of this deer in China. In 1865 the father heard about the existence of a  strange herd of deer in the Imperial Hunting Park, China. This park was guarded by Tartar Soldiers. 

Father David managed to enter this park. He was delighted to see a new species which he had never seen in his past. He realized that the deer were strictly protected. He desired to send few of these species to Europe, but the Chinese authorities would not allow him to transport them to Europe. So he unlawfully obtained two deer skins from some poor Tartar Soldiers. He skipped off the skin to Paris. For discoverering this new species the Pere David Deer was named as Father David Deer.The Chinese authorities  sent few animals to the Continental Zoo, Europe. 

The flood in Peking, China (1895) destroyed the Imperial Hunting Park. The Pere David Deer ran to different countryside and these deers were killed and eaten by Hungry Peasants. The Duke of Bedford bought 18 deers to his park at Woburn. At present there are 150 Pere David Deer. 

 Durrell got a chance to work in Whipsnade Zoo. In this zoo he was fortunate enough to take care of four newly-born Pere David Deer.

Durrell talks about White-tailed-gnus. These animals were the most comic and charming animal. The gnus " would prance and twist and buck, gallop,rear..., and while they did see they would throw their slim legs out at extraordinary". Durrell feels for this amusing creature, " how any one had the heart to kill these agile and amusing antelopes". The South African's slaughtered the gnus unmercilessly for its meat.

Durrell speaks about the endangered species Dodo. Dodo lives in the uninhabited Island of Mairitius.The human beings discovered this land and they dominated the land along with  animals like dog, cat, goat, pigs, and rats. The Dodo's perished after the entry of these creatures. 

Thus Gerald Durrell concludes stating endangered species should be protected. Animals should be protected from the slaughters. Sanctuaries and reserves should be built to protect this endangered species.