My name is Mark Beresford and I am a senior mammal keeper and currently the head of gorillas at Jersey zoo.

I feel truly privileged to spend so much of my time with our gorilla family and would love nothing more than to help them live a further enriched life. Earlier this year I was presented with an opportunity to do this, when I was awarded our charity spot to run the London marathon.

As we celebrate the zoo’s 60th anniversary this year, we also celebrate the 60th anniversary of gorillas in Jersey. Starting back in 1959 with our first gorilla N’pongo, shortly followed by Nandi and then the famous Jambo. The enclosure these 3 eventually shared was built in 1981 and remains a home to our current family group. 

Although Badongo and his troop love the vast and engaging outdoor enclosure, we feel it is time that the gorillas received a new and improved indoor area. We hope these improvements will continue our successful breeding programme and further support the conservation of these gentle giants. 

Please support this expansion by sponsoring my efforts in the London marathon April 2019. Any contributions (and moral support) will be greatly received. 

Many thanks,

Mark, Badongo and family.