Two in the Bush

by Gerald Durrell

Two in the Bush follows intrepid conservationist, wildlife lover and award-winning novelist Gerald Durrell as he embarks on an extended animal collecting trip in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. A powerful conservation piece, Durrell and his first wife Jacquie track down a whole host of endangered species, providing an insight into these rare creatures while stressing the need to protect both them and their habitat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Animals, Nature, Biography, Humor, Memoir

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

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

[Nandakishore Mridula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Gerald Durrel is a pleasure - always.

He has combined his passion for the animal kingdom with the naturalist's eye for detail; and with classic wry British humour added to the mix, it is a potent combination few book lovers can resist. This book, detailing his travels in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia on a trip to film the conservation efforts of those countries is also in the same vein: readable and informative at the same time.

I had read this book long back in my teens - it slowly resurfaced in my memory as started going through it. But no problem. Like Wodehouse, Durrel is also infinitely re-readable. I especially love the way he sketches out a person with a few deft strokes of his pen, and also the way he anthromorphises animals.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH: This is the sixth time I've read this book. I read it four times in a dutch translation (titled "Tussen de tegenvoeters"), once in a Spanish translation (titled "Seis meses en Nueva Zelanda, Australia y Malasia"), and finally once in the original English.

This book tells Durrell's adventures filming animals in New Zealand, Australia and Malasia, with many interesting cases, such as the first filming ever of the birth of a canguro, and how to keep and breed platypus in captivity.

ESPAÑOL: Esta es la sexta vez que leo este libro. Las cuatro primeras lo leí en traducción holandesa (titulada "Tussen de tegenvoeters"), otra vez en traducción española (titulada "Seis meses en Nueva Zelanda, Australia y Malasia"), y finalmente una en el inglés original.

El libro cuenta las aventuras de Durrell filmando animales en los lugares mencionados en el título, y relata muchos casos interesantes, como la primera filmación del nacimiento de un canguro, y cómo criar ornitorrincos en cautividad.

[Mosco · Rating 4 out of 5]

simpatico e autoironico. Un po' datato magari, ma Durrell è sempre piacevole

[Maryna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Даррелл - это терапия. Его книги - это надежные лекарства от грусти, серости окружающего мира и плохого настроения. Давно прошло то время, когда я читала эти произведения с жадностью, стремясь как можно быстрее узнать, как же ему удалось достать вот ту редчайшую зверюшку. Я уже давно не удивляюсь: "Блин, ну вот как можно ТАК описать простой листик дерева?! Как можно вложить столько искренней любви в текст про гадов ползучих?!" Я ко всему этому привыкла, потому как каждая книга прочитана минимум раза по три-четыре. Теперь уже книги Даррелла можно открыть на любой странице и наслаждаться, наслаждаться, наслаждаться...
Книга "Путь кенгуренка" описывает путешествия Даррелла, его жены и съемочной команды по Австралии, Новой Зеландии и Малайе. Сюжет крайне примитивен, но приходить за экшеном к Дарреллу - это все равно что за блокбастером к Диккенсу. Приехали сюда, поснимали одних зверюшек, приехали туда, поснимали других зверюшек- вот и все! Но это всего лишь островки в целом море доброго юмора и просто невероятных описаний природы. Нигде и никогда я не встречала таких описаний природы, как у этого автора. Но больше всего меня поражают рассказы о людях, которые действительно защищают природу не словом, а делом. До чего изобретательна бывает их мысль, в какие авантюры они только не бросаются, чтобы спасти какую-нибудь крошечную мышку! Вы только почитайте, как спасали птиц тахаке! И это лишь крошечный

отрывок из описания всей операции!

Значит, нужно найти яйца такахе и подложить их наседке. Но кто-то возразил, что самая кроткая и чадолюбивая курица не усидит на яйцах, если ее будет швырять и трясти всю дорогу. Авторы «Операции такахе» совсем приуныли; казалось, что такахе невозможно выручить. И тут кому-то (подозреваю, что самому Уильямсу, уж очень он болел душой за этот план) пришло в голову подвергнуть кур психологической обработке, иначе говоря, научить их при любых обстоятельствах, что бы ни случилось, неколебимо сидеть на яйцах. Надежд на успех было мало, но почему не попробовать? И вот был произведен тщательный отбор; из целой сотни кур выбрали несколько штук, которых отличала либо полнейшая тупость, либо предельная флегматичность, и принялись тренировать их так, словно речь шла о будущих десантниках. В картонные коробки положили для насиживания по нескольку яиц на каждую курицу. Наседки заняли свои места, после чего их начали подвергать всевозможным толчкам, какие только могли им грозить на пути в долину и обратно. Коробки трясли, роняли, возили на машинах по ухабистым дорогам, перевозили в поездах, на быстроходных катерах и самолетах. Постепенно менее устойчивые натуры начали сдавать и покидать яйца, и к концу испытания остались всего три наседки. Из них отобрали одну по той простой причине, что коробку, в которой она насиживала яйца, сбросило веткой с крыши машины на землю вместе со всем содержимым (элемент тренировки, не предусмотренный программой); коробка прокатилась несколько метров по земле и остановилась вверх дном, а когда ее открыли, курица по-прежнему с мрачной решимостью насиживала яйца, причем ни одно из них не разбилось — очевидно, наседка своим телом защитила их от удара.



9 / 10

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Two in the Bush is a record 0f a six-month journey which took Gerald Durrell, his wife Jacquie, and two camera men through New Zealand, Australia and Malaya. The object was, first, to see what was being done about the conservation of wild life in these countries, and, secondly, to make a series of television films for the BBC. They were introduced to many rare and remarkable animals -- Royal Albatrosses, Tuataras, Duck-Billed Platypuses, Flying Lizards and Long-Noised Bandicoots, as well as to some equally unusual humans.

"Anyone who has read The Overloaded Ark, The Bafut Beagles or The Whispering Land will have enjoyed Gerald Durrell's enthusiastic adventuring and his delight in the absurdity of the situations in which he finds himself. His observations of animal -- and human -- behavior is always informative and often hilarious."
~~frontispiece

"Enthusiastic adventuring" is exactly what the author excels in, and this book certainly continues the tradition. The reader might have thought that since this wasn't a collecting trip, the author would have been involved in less scrapes and hair-raising situations. But Mr. Durrell seems to be a magnet for scrapes and hair-raising situations, as this book is just as full of them as any of his others.

This is the first of his books to be focused on the dire necessity of conservation of the land in order to save the animals, and the last chapter is a frank and urgent appeal for the human species to become aware of the damage they are doing to the environment and the other species which share it with us. Since it was written in 1996, it's evident that the plea has fallen on deaf ears for the most part and the rte of devastation has only increased logarthmically, to the detriment and death of many species, which soon will include ourselves.

[Wayne Jordaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals a very long long time ago, and was captured. I have just been recaptured by a witty offering of his travels through Australia, New Zeeland and Malaysia, and his team's experiences encountering the weird and wonderful fauna they encounter or seek to encounter. Not only did the author succeed in capturing the actual adventures with aplomb, but he further succeeded in conveying to the reader the life or extinction struggles of some of the animals they encountered, and the valiant efforts of the few (men and women) who were and still are fighting on their behalf in the conservation trenches.

[Leela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit repetitive and silly in places, but I learnt about some cool behaviours and species I didn't know existed. Also really interesting to read about some conservation efforts that were underway back in the 60s - for example the concerns over the Arabian oryx, which was near extinction, and knowing now that those captive breeding programmes and reintroductions were very successful.

[Thomas Buocz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as endearing as the Corfu trilogy books. I learned some interesting things, but it was also a drag and there were some very odd racist bits toward the end…

[Guru · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was first Durrell. This is about shooting of a documentary with the same title that led Durrell and his team across New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia, covering some 45000+ miles. There are of course, wondrous descriptions of placid platypuses, belligerent emus, mimetic lyrebirds, playful kakas, shy tahakes, singing siamangs, 3-eyed tuataras and dozens of other exotic creatures in their natural habitats. But the real fun lies in the description of the people and situations - a group of Sikhs on a fishing trip who are fond of drink, an extremely energetic young guide who believe in perfectly Organizing (with a capital O) a trip, passionate naturalists who live a secluded life in the most remote corners of the world with the animals they love and protect, a wildlife photographer who is unbelievably squeamish and so on.
Durrell's writing adds so much colour and humour in every chapter that you cannot help but be completely drawn into the experience.

[Erik Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read from the 1950's about traveling the globe to film rare and endangered animals. Sobering to read about conservation efforts back then, and to realize the situation we are in now, and how Mr. Durrell would just be appalled (and, in places, proud). Some very funny bits, and clever writing.

[Josephine Draper · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt out of print now but fascinating to read the state of conservation in 1966, particularly in NZ, as Mr Durrell visits NZ (where his observations of people are more telling than those of hard to spot birds), Australia and "Malaya" as it was then.

In some ways conservation in NZ has changed so much - plagues of black swans don’t seem to be a problem any more - but the pest problem is the same, the kakapo and takahe are still clinging on for dear life and still attitudes to conservation are that it’s someone else’s problem. However, we have seen significantly greater awareness in conservation issues in the intervening years, and it is shocking to read about a renowned conservationist grabbing a hoiho to get better pictures with it! DOC would have a fit.

Amusingly written and observant but mainly because it’s now so old it’s fascinating - especially for those who have even a passing interest in conservation. I did feel, too that Mr Durrell masked his superficial interrogation of the state of conservation in 1966 with amusing anecdotes, presumably to make the book more readable. There are however some lovely line drawings of the creatures he meets on his travels.

[Magill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once the Jersey Zoo was established, the number of collecting expeditions become fewer but filming and travelling to see and support conservation of endangered species increase. This trip, in ~1962, to New Zealand, Australia and Malaya, reels off a litany of species with the author as charmed by each and every one as usual. And with the internet you can see what the present status of the species are since their nascent beginnings. In some cases, it is not only human and the adjacent riders (rats, cats and stoats; deer, sheep and others) but diseases and catastrophic weather events that can destroy years of husbanding. And in some cases, the threats to habitat have not lessened, and the call to protect habitat and creatures is as valid now, nearly 60 years down the road, as it was then.

The author will continue to complete what is called the corfu trilogy as well as several short stories collections but the bulk of his remaining writing will be directly related to conservation and protection. And further honing the focus of the Jersey Zoo into the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and subsequently to the Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust, to maintain the existence of threatened species so that they could possibly be reintroduced into their natural environment when their existence is better appreciated than it is at present. That work continues today.

[kulisap · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟

of all the durrell books i've read so far, this one has the strongest conservation messaging. gerry really went off with that afterword. it's written over 60 years ago and sadly, his message is still as relevant, if not more, given the drastic loss in wildlife and wild places right now.

i feel quite partial with this as australia was one of the three countries of focus where durrell and his team journeyed through for a wildlife documentary. idk if he's a magnet for silly people and silly situations or he twists real events to make them fun (maybe both) but he's so good at anecdotal storytelling, and has a way with words that make me smile throughout reading. as always, durrell's humor just clicks with me, his writing is so good and makes me want to keep reading. his storytelling style is so fun and his stories are always hilarious and/or wholesome.

glad to have met some fascinating animals here as well!

rtc but again, so fun!!!

[Tom Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Durrell once again displays his effortless and highly readable style with this easily consumed book. Heavier on naturalist facts than My Family and Other Animals, Two in the Bush follows his travels in New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia with amusing anecdotes abounding. Despite being more focused on conservation and the detailing of endangered species, Durrell does not allow readers to go bored, interspersing descriptions with his dry, laconic writing and tales of humorous companions. Those totally disinterested in nature and often detailed animal descriptions may choose to forego this book, but will miss what is essentially an endearing glimpse into the life of an extremely passionate man littered with good humour and Durrell's personable style.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic style of Gerald Durrell so a bit dated, though his descriptions of creatures are excellent. So I was going to give this book a three. But the I got to the end, the Summing Up and I give that a five so four overall.
This was copyrighted in 1966
“By neglecting our garden, we are storing up for ourselves, in the not very distant future, a world catastrophe as bad as any atomic war, and we are doing it with the bland complacency of an idiot child chopping up a Rembrandt with a pair of scissors.” Summary details follow.
This book is about the need for conservation, and the whole summary chapter is a warning cry -from 1966! It’s still so worth reading, and being challenged and changed by it.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with the approach of the 'naturalist', as he calls himself, Gerald Durrell. I understand that this was written in the 1960s but I was saddened by what I saw as a lack of respect for creatures in their natural habitat. There is a level of arrogance and superiority that is present in the writing and practises of handling wild creatures. The name of places isn't always correct Griffith in NSW is referred to as Griffiths, the Koala continues to be called a bear even after he clearly states that it is not of the bear family and this makes me question further information in the writing as to its validity.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Более Даррелл не отлавливает животных. Он переключился на создание фильмов о дикой природе. На очереди путешествие по Новой Зеландии, Австралии и Малайзии с целью ознакомления положения тамошних обитателей. Галопом по землям Океании получилась сия прогулка. От Даррелла ничего не зависело — ему нарисовали маршрут движения, вручили график посещения определённых мест и пустили осматривать окрестности в сопровождении чиновников. Вместо увлекательного чтения, наполненного юмором, из-под пера Джеральда вышли впечатления туриста, осерчавшего от человеческой мании истреблять окружающий мир во имя развития промышленности.

(c) Trounin

[Anastasiya Lysyuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Книга, вдохновляющая на собственные открытия, описывает неимоверный мир удивительных животных Новой Зеландии, Австралии и Малайзии. После прочтения даже воробьи и голуби заставляют посмотреть на себя совсем под другим углом. Если вам интересно собственными глазами увидеть стаи черных лебедей, узнать, кто такие какапо и такахе, затаив дыхание следить за рождением кенгуренка и узнать, как кожистые черепахи делают кладку и, самое главное, открыть в себе новый источник любви и счастья - эта книга для вас.

[Alastair Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the accompaniment to a trip to Oceania whilst filming a conservation documentary rather than some of the earlier books which are animal collecting stories. It does a really good job of discussing conservation and the importance along with how people may approach it differently. It is also extremely funny and you can, as always, sense the respect Durrell has for those involved in caring for animals but also the animals themselves.

[Mike Roper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book landed on my shelf after my parents signed me up to a random book delivery service for my birthday. I'd never heard of the author before and not read a great deal of natural history before.

The book was pleasantly readable, with great humour and story telling, with a clear passion for the animals the author studied. I will endeavour to try more work by this writer

[Tamara York · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable look at animals in New Zealand, Australia, and Malaysia. Durrell’s writing is like a naturalist meets Bill Bryson. While written in 1966, this book ages pretty well. The conservation message at the end was eerily relevant still today. Hard to believe that it was written almost 60 years ago. I look forward to digging up more of Durrell’s work. Delightful.

[Spike · Rating 4 out of 5]

as always, Gerry Durrell writes so entertaining, and with such personality, it is impossible not to fall in love with his stories and animals. As a book from the 1960s chronicling a documentary of NZ, Australia and Malaysia, i would now live to see the footage and know what happened to all the characters 60 years later. in saying that it is an old book now, it is as fresh and relevant as ever

[Stephen Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told with Durrell’s customary good humour, this is an entertaining account of a wildlife filming expedition to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia, but with a stronger than usual emphasis on conservation and its importance, a message that is, if anything, even more meaningful today. 🐨

[Pip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light-hearted read with a serious message.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerald Durrell can do no wrong.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo è un libro che ho trovato veramente piacevole. Di Durrell avevo già letto e riletto La mia famiglia e altri animali e qui ho trovato la stessa capacità di coinvolgere con la sua scrittura briosa e accattivante. Nel 1962 Durrell con la moglie e due operatori della BBC ha viaggiato attraverso la Nuova Zelanda, l'Australia e la Malesia, con lo scopo di vedere cosa si faceva in questi paesi per la conservazione delle specie selvatiche e dei loro habitat e, nel contempo, per realizzare una serie di documentari per la BBC. Questo libro è una sorta di diario di viaggio, ricco di notazioni zoologiche interessanti su dozzine di animali esotici e rari e sui loro comportamenti, talvolta buffi e insoliti.
Il libro è anche l’occasione per riflettere sul ruolo deleterio dell’uomo per gli equilibri degli ecosistemi e le conseguenze nefaste per la fauna e il territorio. “Abbiamo ereditato un giardino incredibilmente bello e complesso, il problema è che siamo stati dei giardinieri spaventosamente negligenti.”
La vivace scrittura di Durrell aggiunge colore e humor a ogni capitolo anche per la narrazione ironica di alcune situazioni al limite dell’assurdo nelle quali lui, o i suoi compagni di viaggio, si sono venuto a trovare. Anche con questo libro Durrell si conferma ottimo divulgatore.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Gerald Durrell's story telling, plus learning about the conservation angle of his trip to the southern hemisphere so long ago. The man was a visionary!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great combination of discovery and entertainment, this book is set in three locations: New Zealand, Australia and Malaya. As always, Gerald Durrell entertains and educates.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of Gerry's odd adventures, this time in the Antipodes. Among the most entertaining parts were transport via crane, the Bantam hen brainwashing, and Jim's weird misadventures.

[MaiB · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually couldn't make my way right to the end of this book.