[mrsD]

This summer while on vacation, I decided to reread some of my nature books, that I have collected over the years.

When my son was in middle school, a librarian suggested that all of us would like Gerald Durrell. This fascinating man was a naturalist, who founded his own rare zoo on the Isle of Jersey.
He has written 30 books or so on his adventures growing up and that he had in all his worldly travels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Durrell

He is very funny, witty, and droll. And very empathetic to the needs and behavior of animals.

I first reread The Aye-Aye and I, which was one of his last works.
Then I read My Family and other Animals, both of which were very entertaining and educational.

Then I moved on the last one we had, called Menagerie Manor.
This details how he founded his zoo of rare endangered animals, and took care of them. This book was published in 1964 and around the middle of it, is what I am getting to.

Gerald Durrell discovered that many animals that he kept did not fare well in captivity. Many died even though they were offered good food. So he decided to give them injections of Vitamin D3. And low and behold, they became healthier. He also found B12 was very helpful in certain animals as well.

I was rather stunned! I don't recall reading that when I first read that book. But there it was, and look at what is happening today! We primates live in boxes not unlike a zoo format. There are people in my neighborhood, I never even see. They drive up to their garage, open the door with their electronic thingy and drive in and go inside from there. The exit is similar. They don't sit on a porch or in their yard. They don't do their own yard work or home maintenance and hence are not exposed to the sun much on a daily basis.

This must have buried itself in my subconscious mind, for here I am encouraging people with chronic illness to please get tested for D and B12 at the doctor's. Both relatively inexpensive tests.

I guess we are not that much different from Gerald Durrell's rare zoo animals, after all?

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I guess we are not that much different from Gerald Durrell's rare zoo animals, after all?

Indeed. I guess I'm used to hearing similar; many veterinarians in the circle of family & friends. We don't hear about it - much - unless there's a problem, because so much has been done with pet nutrition that if it comes out of a bag or can, it's usually got what it needs (quality petfoods, that is - of course there are many exceptions with the cheapo stuff).

The naturalist reminds me of when I lived in MA, and on a call down route 117, I chanced to stop at the Drumlin Farm-Mass Audubon Society - mostly because I was new to the area but had heard the name. I was fascinated by Audubon's paintings, and naïvely asked how he got such detail - did he capture them or use an early camera? "No," they said, "He shot them, stuffed them, and posed them for painting." Needless to say I was a bit deflated (not to mention a tad apalled.... )

Natural vitamin D has become tough for us humans. We get that we need it from one side, and then the other side bombards us with the dangers of sun exposure, especially with holes in the ozone layer, climate change, etc. Yeah, I know we don't need much to get the vitamin D - just a few minutes on not too large an area, but then there are those of us on certain meds who are supposed to avoid even that! We're so confused!
(I know, I know.... just me being cafetious again... )

Doc

[aussiemom]

For sure Dr Smith. I'm doing treatment for 2 types of skin cancer. Dermas instructions say"if you will be in the sun, use sunscreen" so I asked if that included walking 70 feet to get the mail. Um, no. But that's what was stated on the instruction sheet! Arrrrgh!

[glenntaj]

--for fans of Mr. Durrell (and I am one), I also highly recommend his book Three Tickets To Adventure, which details an animal collecting expedition to South America in the 1950's, back when there was much more undeveloped wilderness and many more native populations still living in their original conditions. An excellent snapshot of several cultures at a particular point in time--and of the amusing hazards of trying to get specimens for zoos and wild animal parks in the days before captive breeding programs became feasible.

[mrsD]

I am going to check our library, before trying to secure some of his other books. I have 4... Aye Aye and I, My Family and other Animals, Menagerie Manor, Amateur Naturalist.

We bought them years ago when my son was in middle school.
We've all read these, and I have twice, now.

I think Gerald Durrell was a very unique person. He had a wonder gift with words and a terrific sense of humor. He was resourceful too... I am near the end of Menagerie Manor and the Gorilla stories are amazing. How he drummed up the $$ to purchase the two animals is very illustrative of his verve for life and his beliefs!

I am pleased that you like him too, Glenn!