New Director of Zoo Operations for Durrell

With over two decades of leadership in zoological and conservation organisations, Mark joins Durrell in January 2026 from Wildwood Trust, where he has 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. While at Wildwood Trust, a conservation charity based in Kent, Mark played a key role in the highly acclaimed Wilder Blean Bison Project, which focused on reintroducing European bison and other conservation grazers to support the restoration of natural woodland processes. He also serves on the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Board of Trustees. 

“I have always been inspired by the work of Gerald Durrell and the impressive array of conservation work to which Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is committed. I am honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to contribute to such an inspiring organisation and to work with such a dedicated and professional team." [Durrell] is an organisation whose values and vision I feel deeply aligned with,” said Habben. “Throughout my career, I have worked to combine the highest standards of animal care with building strong, motivated teams, and I am excited to bring that approach to lead the highly qualified and passionate team who deliver every day on Durrell’s mission to save species from extinction.” 

Rebecca Brewer, Durrell CEO, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mark to Durrell. His knowledge and expertise will add a fresh dimension to the team and to Jersey Zoo. With our new strategy launching in 2026, this marks an exciting chapter for us, and Mark will play a pivotal role in bringing our vision to life." 

Sadly, early next year, Durrell will also say goodbye to Interim Director of Zoo Operations and Curator of Herpetology, Matt Goetz, who will be returning to his home country of Germany to take up a position as Curator of Herpetology and Aquarium for Wilhelma Zoo Stuttgart.    

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.  His passion for Endangered reptiles and amphibians has supported all of Durrell’s reptile and amphibian programmes during his time, starting with the Blue Iguana Programme in the Cayman Islands in 2005, to the 2020 Mauritius oil spill rescue, which recently saw Durrell successfully return lesser night geckos to the Mauritian Islet of Ilot Vacoas.   

Rebecca Brewer, Durrell CEO, commented, “It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Matt, who leaves a tremendous legacy at Durrell. We wish him all the very best for his return to Germany and look forward to strengthening ties with another world-class zoological institution.” 

Matt added: “Leaving Durrell has been an incredibly difficult personal decision as Jersey has long become my home, and I was able to engage in so many different and wonderful aspects of our work at Durrell that it was always hard to imagine ever leaving. However, after 24 years of dedication to my work here it now became time to put family matters first and when the opportunity arose combining this line of work with spending more time with and supporting my elderly parents, I had to take it. I will always be extremely proud of what we achieved at Durrell and immensely grateful for all the experiences and opportunities which led to so many interesting avenues of work I was able to pursue.”