Durrell welcomes new Curator of Herpetology & Invertebrates and Director of Zoo Operations
Tuesday 6 January 2026
Ciaran Westgate has been promoted to Curator of Herpetology & Invertebrates at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, replacing Matt Goetz who announced his departure in October.
Ciaran joined Durrell in 2021 as a Senior Keeper after working at Tilgate Zoo and SeaLife Brighton. Over the past few years, and following his ongoing personal development, Ciaran was promoted to Team Leader in 2023 and then subsequently Deputy Curator of Herpetology & Invertebrates in 2024.
Ciaran has worked closely with Matt over the past five years and is actively involved with Durrell’s Mauritian Reptile rescue, St Lucia racer snake, mountain chicken frog and agile frog head-starting programmes. He is also the Vice Chair of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)’s Reptile and Amphibian Working Group and coordinates the European Breeding Programme for the emerald tree monitor.
Talking about his new appointment, Ciaran commented: “I am truly honoured to take on the important and exciting Curator of Herpetology role here at Durrell. As a Herpetologist and an all-round planet earth lover, the role really encompasses everything I am passionate about. Durrell's stories and vision are very close to my heart, and I am looking forward continuing the inspirational work of my predecessors, to deliver true impact, both here in Jersey and around the world.”
In October, Durrell also announced that Mark Habben would be taking up the position of Director of Zoo Operations. Mark has now joined Durrell from Wildwood Trust, where he held a similar position since 2019 and prior to that was Head of Zoo Operations at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) with responsibility for zoo operations at London and Whipsnade Zoos.
With these appointments, sadly Durrell is saying goodbye to Matt Goetz. Matt joined Durrell fresh from university 24 years ago as the department supervisor of the Herpetology Department. He rose through the ranks to become Curator of Herpetology and latterly Interim Director of Zoo Operations. Matt is returning to his home country of Germany to take up a position as Curator of Herpetology and Aquarium for Wilhelma Zoo Stuttgart and to be closer to his family.