The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust was set up in 1964

Gerald Durrell, author and naturalist founded the zoo in 1959. His aim was to prevent the decline and extinction of animals threatened in their habitat.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is currently working with more than 30 different species taking part in captive breeding programmes.

The Trust will mark the anniversary with events throughout the year.

The conservationist, who was born in India, set up the trust in 1964 and was voted South West Hero in a BBC poll last March, beating other nominees such as Thomas Hardy and Sir Walter Raleigh.