Wildlife Trust was founded in 1971 by British naturalist, author and television personality Gerald M. Durrell, who is perhaps best known for his many entertaining books based on his life’s work with animals, as well as a dozen series on the BBC.

Durrell's love and interest in animals led him to create his own zoo to serve primarily as a breeding center for endangered species.  Durrell founded the Jersey Zoological Park in 1958 to house his growing collection of animals.  He then built up The Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (now the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust) to engage in international conservation efforts, and in 1971, he founded a sister organization in America called Wildlife Preservation Trust International.

Wildlife Preservation Trust International, known today as Wildlife Trust, has expanded its mission to include not only endangered species conservation and training for local scientists, but also international conservation organization development, resolution of human-wildlife conflicts, integrated conservation and community development projects, as well as a new field linking environment and health -- Conservation Medicine.