Encounters with Animals

by Gerald Durrell

'I once travelled back from Africa on a ship with an Irish captain who did not like animals. This was unfortunate, because most of my luggage consisted of about two hundred odd cages of assorted wildlife . . .' Gerald Durrell's accounts of the animals he encountered on his travels were some of the first widely shared descriptions of the world's most extraordinary animals. Moving from the West Coast of Africa to the northern tip of South America - and elsewhere - Durrell observes the courtships, wars and characters of a variety of creatures, from birds of paradise, to ants and anteaters, among others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Travel, Nature, Humor, Biography, Natural History

180 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Gerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell was born in India in 1925. His elder siblings are Lawrence Durrell, Leslie Durrell, and Margaret Durrell. His family settled on Corfu when Gerald was a boy and he spent his time studying its wildlife. He relates these experiences in the trilogy beginning with My Family And Other Animals, and continuing with Birds, Beasts, And Relatives and The Garden Of The Gods. In his books he writes with wry humour and great perception about both the humans and the animals he meets.

On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.

Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).

Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.

Reviews

[Metodi Markov · Rating 3 out of 5]

За съжаление, мисля че това не е книга писана лично от Джералд Даръл…

Съдържа бележките му от три експедиции за улов на диви животни в съответно Британски Камерун, Британска Гвиана и Парагвай.

Сухо и скучновато четиво - нищо общо няма с множеството интересни истории, описания, хора и животни от други негови книги. Няма и помен от отличното му чувство за хумор

Втората част - "Срещи с животните" също не е нещо особено. Разпилени и общи като знание историйки, които може би ще заинтригуват незапознатите с материята читатели, но определено на мен ми доскучаха…

Надявам се да е използвал добре парите, които е получил за тези текстове.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH: This is the fourth time I've read this book, which does not tell about one of Durrell's expeditions to collect or film animals. Rather it tells anecdotes about animals and people, which sometimes come from his expeditions, sometimes from the remainder of his life, sometimes just give information about a concrete animal.

ESPAÑOL: Esta es la cuarta vez que he leído este libro, que no habla de una de las expediciones de Durrell para coleccionar o filmar animales. Más bien cuenta anécdotas sobre animales y personas, que a veces provienen de sus expediciones, otras del resto de su vida, o a veces sólo informan sobre algún animal concreto.

[Giorgio Gabrieli · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sara era una bambina esemplare. Fra una poppata e l'altra stava tranquillamente distesa sul sacco, sbadigliando di tanto in tanto e mostrando una lingua appiccicaticcia di un colore grigio rosato lunga una quindicina di centimetri [...] Quando dovemmo lasciare il Paraguay nel nostro aereo a quattro posti dall'aspetto così poco sicuro, Sara dormì tranquilla per tutto il volo, stesa in grembo a mia moglie, russando leggermente e di quando in quando lasciando uscire qualche bollicina dal naso. [...]
Ci accorgemmo presto che avere un piccolo rendeva la nostra vita sociale estremamente difficile. Vi è mai capitato di dover spiegare a chi vi ha invitato che dovete andarvene proprio nel bel mezzo del pranzo perché un formichiere aspetta che gli portiate il poppatoio?"

Divertentissima trascrizione di particolari incontri che Durrell fece negli anni e che portò alla radio.
Fra affettuosi quanto insoliti animali domestici (Guglielmina lo scorpione) e osservazioni sui vivaci rituali di accoppiamento di ottusi uccelli selvatici, questa raccolta riesce a far ridere il lettore grazie alla abilità antropomorfizzante del suo autore; ci rende una accuratezza ritrattistica degna di Dickens.

[Wendelle]

Thinking about it, one of the things that makes Gerald Durrell's books distinct is his ability to spin any animal encounter into a captivating, rollicking anecdote, packed with wit and humor and uninhibited childlike enthusiasm, where others would only narrate a nature story that is majestic, sublime, solemn, and possibly sleep-inducing. These anecdotes of his are furthermore filled uncompromisingly with information, and he is extremely eloquent in championing methods of conservation, such as captive breeding, sanctuaries and reserves:
""a unique and wonderful species of animal which has taken hundreds of thousands of years to develop to the stage we see today, can be snuffed out like a candle without more than a handful of people raising a finger or voice in protest. So until we consider animal life to be worthy of the consideration and reverence we bestow upon old pictures and monuments, there will always be the animal refugee living a precarious life on the edge of extermination, dependent for existence on the charity of a few human beings.""
In this book in particularly he highlights the wide array of animal life he has encountered throughout the globe, even in ecosystems dismissed as being devoid of mobile life. He shows the variations in predation; in mating and courtship; in the use of peculiar senses and scientific principles (bat's radar, electricity) to navigate their environment.

[Gab Hausi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerald Durrell, as one may know, was an entertaining storyteller. He got the attention of half of the world through his series retelling the adventures him and his family had while living in Corfu (My Family and Other Animals, 1956) and through this platform, Durell showed the people of the late half of the 20th century how varied and spectacular the animal kingdom is. This I inmensively praised throughout my childhood, and thus so Gerald Durrell managed to enthuse me enough to channel my life towards an interest in animals. Nonetheless, as an adult living through the ashtonisingly difficult early 2020s, I was doomed to view him differently this time around.

It is then neccessary to mention the systemic issues Durrell shows us through his writings that we are not okay with anymore. There are some racist and ableist gems that I am openly not okay with, neither with the way Gerald treats many of the animals discussed in this book. But that goes deep into territories that are not part of this book review, so I shall park them for now.

The 3rd part, called 'Animals in Particular', was my favourite. I knowingly have a soft spot for human-animal relationships, and it is here that the care Gerald Durrell puts into each of his many individual animals shines brightly. It is clear that he cares for his animals dearly, to which he has dedicated his life, and he lets us know. Durrell made me fall in love with Pavlo the marmoset, and even see scorpions in a different light than before. This read will definitely inspire my path through anthrozoology and etology.

I have contrasting views on this book. On one side, it has been difficult for me to ignore the systemic desparities that shine through the writing -despite the author seemingly ignoring them-, but on the other side his relationships with animals still appeal to the child in me that still wishes to rescue and raise baby animals. So, overall: the system then was even more broken than it is now, but if you choose to bypass Durrell's blissful unawareness of the atrocities he's actively taking part of, he comes off as a lovely chap that just really, really, loves animals and talking about them.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book to read! The title of this book sums up that this book is many stories of Durrells encounter with an amazing variety of animals - but Durrell made it so much more than that.
Durrell wrote this in a way that made me feel like child again - fully captivating me and bringing my imagination to life. What makes it even better is that they're all true stories.
It was funny, exciting, had me on the edge of my seat and beautifully written!
4.5 🌟

I cannot wait to explore more of Gerald Durrell

[Shalini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very delightful read, sure to make you fall in love with the tiniest and supposedly scariest creatures that live in the many forests :)

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading this i realised i’ve lowkey been trying to impersonate gerald durrell’s writing style my whole life

[Bioteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In questo libro, l'eminente zoologo inglese Durrell, racconta in modo scherzoso e appassionato alcuni aneddoti riguardanti la sua vita di esploratore, trascorsa in giro per il mondo alla ricerca dei più insoliti animali. Ciò che colpisce leggendo gli scritti di Durrell è il suo stupore e la sua meraviglia di fronte alle bellezze della natura. Uno stupore che spesso contraddistingue l'età infantile di ciascuno di noi ma che purtroppo si perde man mano che ci si confronta con il mondo degli adulti. Durrell è uno dei pochi che è riuscito a conservare questi profondi sentimenti fino alla sua morte. Questo libro rappresenta una lettura piacevole e rilassante che non lascia assolutamente indifferente il lettore ma che lo esorta a scrutare con occhi curiosi le meraviglie della natura che ci circondano.

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to be missed. Every word is true and every page is a delight.

[parth shah · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book about cool animals, with appalling and abhorrent misogyny, racism, and colonialism seeping through every page.

I loved Durrell's "my family and other animals" a lot and, picked up two more of his books, this being one of them. And this sucks cause I really wanted to love this book!

Immediately I was irked by the backdrop of Durrell traveling to Africa to capture the animals for a zoo! Just casually setting up traps in African forests and capturing animals of the forest for a zoo. Alright, it's written in the late 50s, I told to myself. I am willing to move past things when reading old books and chalk a few things up to "the times". But then there are things one can simply not move past irrespective of when it was written.

I am going to provide a few examples. Starting with the last page I read of this book, after which I had to put it down.

*page 68-69* : After calling pigeon's nests stupid, inefficient and, an irritating menace for a naturalist (he is referring to himself here), Durrell vividly recounts a story about how he saw a lot of pigeon nests in one tree along with a different nest on top of the same tree. Being curious about whose nest that was, he climbed up the tree, "unfortunately" creating a "waterfall of pigeon eggs which bounced and broke against me". Unbothered by it, he continued to climb till the top!

On Reaching the top, he couldn't really determine whose nest it is. This is how he describes what he saw after climbing down: "The ground under the tree was littered with broken eggs, tastefully interspersed with the bodies of a few baby pigeons in a decomposed condition." - I have no words! What an absolutely psychopathic thing to say!

There is sadly more! He then proceeds to complain about one of the egg falling in his pocket and ruining his cigarettes "I had to walk two miles home without a smoke". He also complains about the "strong aroma of eggs" and, how all the eggs falling on him ruined his look. He then ends the story with "I have never really liked the pigeons since then."

What a nauseating display of British colonialism and superiority. Destroying hundreds of pigeon nests, breaking their eggs, even killing some of their babies - for no reason other than a passing curiosity, and then complaining about the destroyed eggs ruining his clothes and cigarettes, while he describes the mindless slaughter he caused as "littered with broken eggs, tastefully interspersed with the bodies of a few baby pigeons in a decomposed condition." - we are talking about a man who is globally known as an animal lover!

And that's just one page!

_

He routinely sees all animals from a deeply anthropocentric lens, and the way he writes about animal courtship is unmissably misogynistic.

"It is among the water-tortoises that we find an example of the 'treat'em rough and they'll love you' school of thought"

While talking about praying mantis, he goes in detail about how it looks strange to him and how the way it moves is "unpleasant" for him. Well, sir, it's not really catering to your gaze! He goes on: "You'd think he would be sensible enough not to trust a bride with a face like that"

He sees two female bird of paradise not interested in the male bird, after the male bird does the courtship dance, and immediately goes "I decided that the females must be especially hard-hearted, or especially inartistic, to have been able to resist such an exhibition." and that he feels "very sorry for the male that his magnificent courtship should go unrewarded"!!! Mr Durrell, must you project your sense of male entitlement on a bird?

_

Here's him describing himself inspecting a dead body of a hippo. "The entire village had accompanied me, for such an enormous windfall of meat was a red-letter day for them. They stood silent and interested while I examined the old male's carcase, and when I had finished and walked away they poured over it like ants, screaming and pushing with excitement, vigorously wielding their knives and machetes." - That's a white British man describing Africans while being on a mission to capture native animals for a zoo!

_

In another one of his anecdotes, he gets a boat and a shotgun, captures a Cayman, and releases it far way from its home, because the Cayman was trying to eat Jacana bird's babies. - A native animal, on its own land, trying to eat its natural diet. But of course Durrell must intervene to save the birds! He also talks about planning a revenge and says things like "I would hunt him out and slaughter him". ... For eating its food?? This is literally a "Naturalist" and a "Conservationist" getting mad on a Cayman... for eating its food, on its own land! Can't make this up!

_

Was really looking forward to reading this and enjoying it. If you are like me and like your animal facts without overt colonialism, racism and misogyny, I suggest skipping this one!

Can't believe this comes from the same guy who wrote "My family and other animals". But as Durrell proclaims: "An ugly or horrifying animal - like an ugly or horrifying human being - is never completely devoid of certain attractive qualities".

[Jan Sandford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching The Durrells on BBC First has rekindled my love of this eccentric family. When my son was small I read most of Gerald's books to him. I loved and still love his natural writing style and the way he wrote about his animals as they were his best friends. His books are a lot of fun and they always make me smile.

I found this book in a second-hand bookstore in Warsaw - it is one book of his that I hadn't read. It is short - 180 pages and is a collection of scripts relating to different animal subjects. The book was first published in 1958 so you have to make allowances for the old-fashioned style of writing. I found it funny, educational and I loved the simple sketches of some of the animals he had collected for various zoos.

I really enjoyed reading Encounters with Animals and I do recommend it but it is one of his later books. I think as an introduction to Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals is the perfect starter. In this book, you get to know Gerry and his family and get an insight into their wacky lifestyle on the island of Corfu.  

[Kristályfény · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aki tud azonosulni Geral Durrell életszemléletével és megtanulja Durrell szemén keresztül látni a világot, az már az első fejezet után úgy érzi, hogy kitágult a világképe. Már az első oldalak elolvasása után másképpen nézi a környezetét. Ez az érzést csak fokozódik, amint továbbolvassuk a könyvet. Nekem mindig nagyon tetszik, amikor az állatokat emberi tulajdonságokkal ruházza fel és mindegyiket bemutatja több példán keresztül. Az is tetszik, hogy egyes fajok mi mindent megtesznek annak érdekében, hogy a kiválasztottjuk figyelmét felhívják magukra. Vagy az, hogy a tudományunk fejlődése mennyi mindent köszönhet egyes állatok alapkészségeinek, tulajdonságainak. De az is érdekes, ahogy megmutatja, hogy az állatoknak is van egyénisége (ezt egyébként minden gazdi észre is veszi saját házikedvencén) és hogy a megszokott dolgok és tárgyak mennyire fontosak tudnak lenni nekik.
G.D. ebben a könyvében is a megszokott stílusában kedves, humoros történetekkel áraszt el bennünket. Jó volt Gerald Durrellel kikapcsolódni. Érdemes az ő történeteit elolvasni.

[Magill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems that there was no creature that the author could not appreciate or develop a bond with. This book is based on a series of recordings done for the BBC encompassing his work through 1958.

Whether describing animal behaviors, or the vast variety thereof, relationships with an insect or a marmoset, or even his own behaviors, the author has an eye for detail. Some of the anecdotes are described or expanded upon from prior books, others didn't make it into those books, and some are just new stories that highlight the point of his talk.

Not amusing in the general sense or expectation of his other books, but a nice discussion overall and presents a window into some of his relationships, including some appreciation of human animals as well.

[Taldragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I once travelled back from Africa on a ship with an Irish captain who did not like animals. This was unfortunate, because most of my luggage consisted of about two hundred odd cages of assorted wildlife . . .' Gerald Durrell's accounts of the animals he encountered on his travels were some of the first widely shared descriptions of the world's most extraordinary animals. Moving from the West Coast of Africa to the northern tip of South America - and elsewhere - Durrell observes the courtships, wars and characters of a variety of creatures, from birds of paradise, to ants and anteaters, among others.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I firstly discovered Durrell's animal stories when I was in secondary school. I got so much joy out of his descriptions of strange animals he encounters on his travels (and still do)! His enthusiasm and fascination has stuck with me ever since, so this was a warm trip down memory lane. I must say that some parts annoyed me a bit, I hadn't really noticed the anthropomorphisms and Durrel's partiality to "pretty" creatures before. But it's hard not to enjoy these narrations, Durrel clearly had an unlimited amount of love for living things that weren't human. His books have a soft spot in my heart.

[Simona Moschini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Assolutamente non paragonabile a "La mia famiglia ed altri animali", di cui peraltro non ha gli stessi intenti: narrativa autobiografica era quella, qui abbiamo invece storie concepite in origine per la radio, rielaborate a stampa in chiave divulgativa per il pubblico dei ragazzi.
L'umorismo di Durrell, comunque, permane inalterato, e i bozzetti sia di animali speciali con cui ha vissuto, sia di strani esseri umani conosciuti qua e là tra la pampa e la foresta amazzonica, sono schizzati con la solita efficacia.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect antidote to the present situation, as Gerald Durrell's 1958 book delights with its wonderful portraits, in words, of exotic animals from all over the place! Durrell's love for animals is legendary, but his writing comes close to perfection. His short chapters encapsulate an animal or bird or insect in a celebration of the natural world's gifts to us all...& a reminder of how fragile is survival for so many.

[Alastair Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I read Durrell's books the more I am impressed by his obvious passion. As with all his books there are certain passages which make it obvious it was written in a different time, but overall his enthusiasm for his subject and also respect he has for his reader shines through. Some books written by experts feel judgemental or dismissive, but this is a collection of short passages on a variety of subjects, each one is written eloquently with a great sense of occasion and theatre.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Here are uniquely entertaining accounts of the courtships, wars, and characters of animals encountered in West Africa, South America, and elsewhere."
~~back cover

These are charming little vignettes of animals the author has captured, known and loved. Durrell's writing has improved: the writing is less stilted and flows more easily. A keeper for sure!

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

In response to demand of the day, this particular book is based on the various BBC broadcasts Gerald gave. His vast repertoire and encyclopaedic knowledge of the natural world means that despite numerous books, those famously covering his family life in Corfu while others focus on his collecting trips or his zoo, he never gets repetitive or dull. Every book is a joy to read.

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

trigger warning
mention of: animal death, cruelty towards animals, slavery

This one includes talks Gerald Durrell gave on the BBC radio. They're short and sweet.
Every time I have one of his books unread on my tbr I wonder why, but when I pick it up I am instantly charmed by his way of telling a story and the people and animals he met.

[Revanth Ukkalam]

David Attenborough has ruined our generation by pampering us with his vision but Durrell has some amazing cute moments too!

Just take this for example:
"The elizabethan lovers of the animal world are, of course, the birds: they dress themselves magnificently, they dance and posture and they are prepared at a moment's notice to sing a madrigal or fight a duel to the death."

[Connor Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice - standard Durrell book, classic humour and charm. Liked the way this was split by animal/type of story rather than location as it was something a bit different. Also told stories that were in previous books but rewrote them so it wasn't a direct copy and you could get something new from the retelling

[Misty Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review needs to be read with my review of 'A zoo in my luggage' - as my copy is bound with that book [Companion Book Club edition]

The present book is a collection of unrelated short stories and I found it a less 'challenging' read. The collection contains a number of 'laugh out loud' moments, often down to the author's own behaviour or misfortune

Recommended for animal lovers!

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous and sensational book! Gerald Durrell NEVER disappoints! Once again I have enjoyed following his animal collecting adventures and meeting all the delightful characters in the book...
This book made me realise that I really want a marmoset!

[Miguel Lencastre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, warming and entertaining account of one who clearly has a most profound for animals and their habits. I have read several of Durrell and always find that his narrations are a true testimony to the beautiful world we live, with its wonders and mischiefs

[Stephen Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succession of short, entertaining tales, originally broadcast as 15-minute readings on BBC radio. Durrell’s characteristic humour shines through in each one.

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these stories.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit ramble-y, hence only 3 stars, but an okay book that highlights the way things were back then.