James Gotts is team leader of chelonia and invertebrates for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. He is recognised for his outstanding contributions to animal conservation, education, and public engagement.
“His management of the large and rare captive collection of tortoises and invertebrates, including his critical work with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust’s captive breeding program for the endangered Ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar, reflects his deep commitment to species preservation,” says one person who nominated Gotts.
“James stands out not only for his hands-on conservation efforts but also for his ability to communicate complex environmental issues to the public. His engaging presentations, including his talk at the Royal Institute last year on tortoise in Mauritius and the illegal wildlife trade in Madagascar, have established him as a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for animal conservation.
“Regular appearances on the BBC’s Animal Park have further expanded his reach, enabling him to educate and inspire a broader audience.”
Whilst he currently specialises in turtles, tortoises and invertebrates, James Gotts is an experienced keeper for a wide range of species, from koalas to crocodiles. He previously served as senior animal keeper at Longleat for almost a decade.
Here, Gotts managed a project to conserve the critically endangered Desertas wolf spiders in a partnership between seven collections and the Portuguese government. Desertas wolf spiders are among the rarest and largest spiders in the world. They are native to a small valley on Desertas Grande, an uninhabited island off the southeast coast of Madeira.
This project sought to establish a satellite breeding programme that would enable batches of adult spiders to be released and supplement the population.
Gerald Durrell, an author and conservationist, founded Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in 1959. Based at Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands, the Trust is an international charity dedicated to the prevention of species extinction.