We know that endangered species of animals are recorded in the Red Book and are under special control. However, about 20 years before the advent of this Book, the popular writer and naturalist Gerald Darrell was already trying to describe and systematize many rare species of animals.
Thanks to his disinterested enthusiasm, many species of living beings have not completely disappeared on our planet. And Darrell’s novels, riddled with interest in life around, inspire new generations of naturalists.
A famous scientist, zoologist and naturalist, Gerald Malcolm Darrell became famous also as an amazingly talented writer. All his books convey the author’s great love for all living things and the kind humor with which Darrell used to look at the world around him. In addition, he was able to organize a zoo, on the basis of which he later organized the Wildlife Protection Trust,
Interesting youth
Gerald was born in one of the towns of India, then the British colony, on January 7, 1925. He was the youngest of four children of engineer Lawrence Darrell and his wife Louise.
Surprisingly, little Darrell began to be interested in the strange world of insects and animals at the age of two. Members of his family didn’t really like this hobby, because he could enjoy fiddling with spiders, worms, and other strange creatures.
Gerald's father died in 1028 and the family was forced to return to their homeland, to Great Britain. But they did not like the climate of this country, and after 7 years the family moved to the Greek island of Kofra. The amazing nature of Greece influenced the formation of Gerald as a zoologist. In addition, there were no schools on the island and the boy was educated under the supervision of home teachers. One of them, the famous Greek naturalist Theodor Stefanides, helped turn the curious boy's interest in living things into the beginning of an amazing career. In the future, Gerald often mentioned his beloved teacher in his works.
The family of the future zoologist spent only 4 years in Greece. Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, they had to leave Greece. However, these years had a huge impact on the young Gerald, determining his future fate.
Travel and books
After the war, the young man began working in a small zoo. As a simple minister, he collected information on rare and endangered animals.
However, having received a small inheritance, Darrell decided to organize several expeditions: two to Cameroon and one to Guiana, which were then British colonies. The animals could not be taken out, the money ran out and Darrell was left without a livelihood.
It was at this time that his older brother Lawrence, whose novels were successful, suggested that his brother try himself in the field of literature. To Gerald's surprise, his first book, The Overloaded Ark, which tells of a trip to Cameroon, was a huge success.
In 1954, the already popular writer Gerald Darrell again visited the island of Kofra. Under the influx of memories, he wrote the famous "Greek" trilogy. This made Darrell a world famous writer.
In total, Darrell wrote more than 30 books, after which many films were made. But the main purpose of his life has always been the study and protection of wildlife.
