The new centre will be twice the size of the current premises and will also feature a café which can be used by people who have not paid to enter the wildlife park.
However, the cash – from a States fund launched last year to create and safeguard jobs during the recession – will only be released if Durrell can raise the remaining £1.5 million needed to fund the project.
The trust has now launched a campaign to raise funds for the project and a number of other upgrades to the wildlife site. It has already raised about £260,000.
