Tributes to Jeremy Mallinson
from friends who served with him on international advisory committees for conservation and management of the Lion Tamarins of Brazil
Lou Ann Dietz -- President, Save the Golden Lion Tamarin
(Conselheira e Sócia Fundadora, Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado)
I knew Jeremy for as long as I have been working with golden lion tamarin conservation - nearly 40 years. That’s a long time, but Jeremy’s lion-tamarin journey commenced 10 years earlier! Along with Devra Kleiman (Smithsonian/National Zoo), he pioneered linking zoos to conservation of endangered species, beginning with golden lion tamarins and later expanding to all four species of lion tamarins. His contributions were not in field research, but rather in his unique ability to open lines of communication among all stakeholders, and to help us develop creative solutions and move forward. For example, using diplomacy and persistence he worked with the Brazilian Department of State to secure the return to Brazil of golden headed lion tamarins that had been exported illegally to Europe. Jeremy also played a key role in establishing the International Rescue and Management Committees for the Lion Tamarins, essentially an effort to bring together Brazilian government officials, the international zoo community, field researchers, and protected area managers to resolve conflicts, develop solutions and mobilize support to execute these solutions.
Jeremy did not speak one word of Portuguese, nonetheless he managed to communicate with everybody involved in lion tamarin conservation. He made us all feel like family, and we all loved him. During what often were hours of heated debate among the rest of us, Jeremy would in his humble, smiling, and thoughtful way encourage us to work through the agenda and reach decisions. When work was done, he shared his enthusiasm for music, dancing, and good whiskey with us all. I remember his insistence that we all go to a Rio nightclub to dance after an exhausting week of lion tamarin meetings. The vision of his white hair and British dance moves in a sea of younger Brazilian dancers still brings a smile.
Jeremy was tireless in seeking support for lion tamarin conservation. He came up with the brilliant idea of the Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund to raise funds from zoos in support of priority conservation actions. He obtained a donation from a whiskey distillery and used those funds to partner with World Wildlife Fund (I was WWF Brazil Program Officer at the time) to help resolve land tenure problems in Una Reserve and thereby greatly improve the conservation status of golden headed lion tamarins. Even after his retirement he continued to make personal financial contributions to the Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund and to Save the Golden Lion Tamarin.
The Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado (Brazil’s Golden Lion Tamarin Association) planted a native tree seedling in Jeremy’s memory. That seedling will flourish and become part of a forest corridor helping assure the future of golden lion tamarins. Jeremy’s tree is a ”guanandi”, a species that produces nectar that is loved by golden lion tamarins. I think Jeremy would like that. We honor our friend Jeremy and his efforts to save lion tamarins by continuing the work he began.
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Jim Dietz -- Vice President and Founding Director, Save the Golden Lion Tamarin (Conselheiro, Sócio Fundador, Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado)
I had the honor and pleasure of knowing Jeremy for nearly 40 years. His institution supported research that I conducted on golden-headed lion tamarins in Una Reserve, Brazil, and our applied conservation initiatives as well. Jeremy was co-chair of the International Committee for Recovery and Management of Lion Tamarins, of which I was a member for decades. And he became a dear friend. Jeremy was one of the most effective conservationists that I have known. He dissolved conflict and built trust by his constant recognition and praise of others, especially of our Brazilian colleagues. He was the consummate ambassador and diplomat. His dry sense of humor and quick smile helped us work through meetings with long agendas and tough decisions. I remember his white hair bouncing up and down as we danced in Brazilian night clubs when the meetings were over. Jeremy made a huge contribution to conservation of Brazil’s lion tamarins and our lives were richer for knowing him. We will miss him.
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Bengt Holst -- Former Vice-Director and Director of Research and Conservation, Copenhagen Zoo
When Jeremy Mallinson passed away I lost not only one of my greatest mentors in animal conservation, but also a true friend. Jeremy and I met in the early 1990s, and for some reason he recommended me as a new member of the International Committee for Conservation and Management of the Lion Tamarin Species (ICCM) in 1995. This led to my first trip to Brazil and my first encounter with what should after that become my Lion Tamarin family. There was nobody like Jeremy who could make you feel important and needed. He could twist his language into phrases that made you feel really wanted, and he certainly had a special eye on all newcomers. Being one out of only three Europeans in the ICCM Jeremy carried me forward and introduced me to everyone as if I were the most important person in the room. Furthermore, one always felt like equals when being together with Jeremy – not culturally (he was far beyond me!), but socially. He never missed an opportunity to introduce me to all the important people he knew, and they were a lot.
Going on a tour with Jeremy was always a huge experience. His field gear was very Jeremy-like, and he never missed his soft hat. Furthermore he – and we – would be lost without his usual Toblerone, which he, strange enough, always had plenty copies of, and his pocket lark with whiskey. With that he could survive any situation, and he has no doubt saved us youngsters many times. But I also learned another thing about Jeremy: He had absolutely no sense of place. So, never leave him alone in unknown territory. He would get lost in a train station if not guided by someone else. But Jeremy knew, and could in his own way always charm people to provide him with that service, be it people who knew, or people who just accidently passed by. He could then put on the most lost face I have ever seen, and people would then on their own come and help him out. Jeremy in a nutshell!
And for the Lion Tamarins he was probably the best ambassador they could wish. He used every occasion to speak their case, be it to fundraise for them or just to convince people to get involved in Lion Tamarin conservation. And he did impressingly well. Walking around with his little notebook he discretely captured all positive waves. And if people would forget about the chat, or if they thought it had just been a loose chat, they were confronted the next day with what they had promised. Jeremy had a memory like an elephant, and with the support of his little notebook he was invincible. He nailed people, politely as ever, until they committed to their promises.
In 2001 Jeremy showed me the big honor of becoming his successor as co-custodian for the Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund. He invited me to come to his home in Jersey where I then spent two fantastic days in their immense hospitality. Two very special and unforgettable days. I got to know Jeremy much better than before, saw other sides of him and got some very important lectures in diplomacy. He was a marvelous teacher, and I learned a lot from him on that topic too.
Jeremy will certainly be missed. Even though he couldn’t attend the later meetings in Brazil he was still among us during the meetings. Everybody knew Jeremy, and everybody could tell many good stories about Jeremy, his humor and aristocratic appearance. He was a close friend to everyone, and everybody knew his passion for the Lion tamarins. Personally, I will miss him as a very special friend and also as a strong mentor in human relationships, nature conservation and true diplomacy. But I am also convinced that the best thing we can do to honor him is to continue working for the conservation of the Lion Tamarins that were so close to his heart. And I am sure he will encourage us to do that by saying these famous “Jeremy words”: “Carry on chaps”. And that we will do!
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Russell A. Mittermeier -- Chair, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group; Chief Conservation Officer at Global Wildlife Conservation
Jeremy Mallinson was a truly unique and very special person, and an enormous asset to the conservation movement, and especially the conservation of endangered species. His combination of deep dedication, delightful charm, clear vision, and ultimately good common sense made his contributions to conservation very special in many ways. I would especially highlight his huge role in the conservation of Brazil's lion tamarins, globally important flagship species unique to Brazil's Atlantic Forest and on the verge of extinction in the 1970s. Jeremy's diplomatic skills enabled international collaboration at a level that still serves as a global model to the present day, bringing together Brazilian and international conservationists, government officials, pet keepers holding these animals overseas, and the international zoo community. I had the pleasure of knowing Jeremy for 50 years. I will miss him, and will always remember him as a true gentleman and a wonderful friend.
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Dionizio Moraes Pessamilio -- Ex-Diretor da Reserva Biológica de Poço das Antas, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Falar do Dr. Jeremy Mallinson, significa reconhecer uma pessoa do bem, aquele que dispensou grande parte da sua vida trabalhando pela conservação e preservação dos recursos naturais do planeta.Todas as vezes em que tive a honra de participar de reuniões com ele, pude testemunhar seu empenho na luta pela preservação do mico-leão-dourado. Jeremy Mallinson foi um exemplo de simplicidade, força e dedicação, manifestando sempre a vontade de ajudar na resolução de problemas ambientais. Estamos de luto pela sua partida, lamentando a perda de um amigo e aliado importante, neste momento de grandes desafios que a Natureza enfrenta. Deixou-nos, contudo, um legado incontestável que nos inspira a perseverar na procura de soluções conservacionistas, pois suas obras e pesquisas nos apontam caminhos a seguir.Nossa gratidão, nosso afeto e agradecimentos a Deus pela oportunidade de ter convivido com ele. Abraços e força aos seus familiares
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Dionizio Moraes Pessamilio -- Former Director of Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (translation)
To speak of Dr. Jeremy Mallinson means knowing a good person, one who spent a large part of his life working for the conservation and preservation of the planet's natural resources. Every time I had the honor of participating in meetings with him, I witnessed his commitment to the battle for conservation of the golden lion tamarin. Jeremy Mallinson was an example of simplicity, strength, and dedication, always expressing willingness to help solve environmental problems. We mourn his departure, regretting the loss of an important friend and ally, at this time of great challenges that Nature faces. He left us, however, with an undeniable legacy that inspires us to persevere in the search for conservation solutions, because his works and research point us in paths forward. Our gratitude, our affection, and our thanks to God for the opportunity to have known him. Hugs and strength to his family.
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Anthony B. Rylands -- Deputy Chair, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group; Primate Conservation Director at Global Wildlife Conservation.
Jeremy had always held a special fascination for a diverse group of small South American monkeys, the marmosets of the tropical forests of the Amazon and the coast of eastern Brazil, the so-called Atlantic Forest. Alarms were raised in the early 1970s about the perilous situation of the lion marmosets, four species in the Atlantic Forest, one the inhabitant of the lowland forests of Rio de Janeiro where its forests had been devastated, besides them being coveted in the pet trade. A meeting, “Saving the Lion Marmoset”, was convened by the National Zoo, Washington, DC, in 1972, to discuss their plight and the means to save them. Jeremy joined the small elite of stalwarts, initially to set up a breeding population in captivity but which, with its success, became an exemplary, ground-breaking endangered species program. In the early 1980s, it was discovered that more than 50 golden-headed lion tamarins—for an obscure reason they came to be known as tamarins, when they are in fact marmosets—a different species to the golden lion tamarins of Rio, had been smuggled into Belgium, France, Japan and Hong Kong. The Brazilian government, knowing of Jeremy’s prowess in the international zoo world, asked him to retrieve them. A daunting task, which Jeremy accepted, and carried out successfully, with astonishing aplomb. Considering the practicalities of their management in captivity, Jeremy’s unprecedented masterstroke was to negotiate their registration in the zoo world as the property of the Brazilian government, allowing for a tight, centralized, scientific management of the global captive population, maintaining a healthy genetic diversity and making sure it did not grow to unmanageable proportions. The insight of this feat was something he was most proud of. With his success, in 1985, the Brazilian government asked Jeremy to form an international management committee of experts, to be hosted by them, to determine measures for the conservation of the species. The committees met annually in Brazil until 2003. Early on, Jeremy created and managed the Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund, encouraging zoos holding lion tamarins to raise money for their conservation in the wild. The success of the initiative was such that it continues to this day, providing a perennial source of funds for conservation programs for the species.
His joint chair for the golden-headed lion tamarin committee was Adelmar F. Coimbra Filho, pioneer primatologist in Brazil, who first raised the alarm about the lion tamarins, and who Jeremy, slightly bowing his head and with his engaging smile, always referred to as "the doyen of Brazilian Primatology." Coimbra founded the Rio de Janeiro Primate Centre and he would proudly show me Jeremy's signature in the visitor's book, poke his finger at it, and say that Jeremy was one of the most highly respected people to have honored him in visiting his beautiful center in the mountains near Rio.
Going back to the Lion Tamarin Committees, whenever there was some tension in the air, some difficult decision to make, he would give us a pep-talk, making us all feel rather like naughty school children. A concept which he frequently evoked was the advantage we had of being able to call on the “World’s Best Resources” to get the job done. "Jeremy!", everybody would say in unison, "You are our World’s Best Resource."
Jeremy was admired, respected, and loved by all who knew him in Brazil. The lion tamarin committee meetings would last four or five days, and Jeremy’s skill and gentle charm in moderating disagreements, quelling discord or smoothing ruffled feelings were a constant source of admiration and amazement. He was an ambassador, admired for his integrity, his kindness and so special and so very British humor. It was such a privilege to have worked with him and known him.
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Jon Ballou – retired Population Manager and Research Scientist at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoo in Washington DC
Jeremy was a Gentleman (in the British formal sense and, of course, in the more general sense), and a person of authority to me when I was working with the lion tamarin project. Not official authority, but cultural and experiential authority. Our first interactions were when we were both on the Lion Tamarin Management Committees. I had not known him previously and these meetings were in Brazil. So at first we were as formal to each other as could be imagined in a Brazilian setting, which does not mean much.
However, I do remember a specific moment that I will never forget. In one Management Committee meeting, of which Devra Kleiman as the chair (Devra was my boss but we were butting heads on a number of issues at the time) and I was pushing back on some issue. Probably being a jerk. And Jeremy, seated to my left, leaned over and just gave me “the eye.” As in ‘back off Jon….’ Yup – that shut me down pretty quick. I had been officially reprimanded by Jeremy.
But after another (or even the same?) meeting, Devra, Jeremy and I went clubbing. Yeah. Jeremy and Devra loved to dance and I found in the crowd a dancing partner and we had a blast dancing till whenever. It was tough getting to the next day’s early morning flight (and it turned out my Brazilian dancing partner was on the same flight!)
Jeremy and I were invited to participate in a conservation planning meeting for the Spix Macaw in Fortaleza, Brazil. I think we were the only non-Brazilian. So we hung out together in the evenings. I spent three or four days there with him just one-on-one. He would call my room and invite me to join him on the beach sipping whatever and just talking. Relaxed, comfortable conversations. He later sent me a letter saying how much he enjoyed that. I had too and regret not writing him telling him that.
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Kristin Leus -- Programme Officer European Regional Resource Centre of the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Population Biologist European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Chair EAZA Population Management Advisory Group, IUCN SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group – Red List Authority, Copenhagen Zoo
From the very first moments I met Jeremy, he treated me with the utmost respect, encouragement and unconditional support. This was not self-evident, because when I first started in Antwerp Zoo in 1996 to work on the international studbook for golden-headed lion tamarins (GHLTs), I was ‘dayglow green’ when it came to ex situ conservation programmes AND primatology AND conservation. My freshly minted PhD in nutrition and stomach anatomy of an Indonesian wild pig was not exactly a straight line preparation for my new career. But for Jeremy, a PhD showed you cared about science and if you showed up and stated you intended to dedicate yourself to saving a species, he was ‘yours’. My story is just one among hundreds - people whose lives he touched and changed forever - be it as a science based conservationist, a field assistant, or the staff behind the counter in the Novo Mondo hotel in Rio. I spent an incredible afternoon with him in his office at Jersey Zoo (well, ok, the first hour or so were a bit nerve wrecking, after all, I was meeting one of the conservation silverbacks, but until my ears tuned in to Jeremy’s way of speaking I wasn’t sure I always nodded yes to the right things). He ad-libbed the entire history of the lion tamarin work, in the field and in zoos, with dates and names, and said he would gladly accompany me on my first trip to Brazil. I will never ever forget that first trip. I was introduced to the magic of his Barbour jacket, which had pockets everywhere that could be stuffed with what seemed like an endless supply of small bottles of whiskey and Toblerone chocolate . Jeremy would casually ‘drape’ this over his arm at check in so that his hand luggage was within weight limits. Those drams and chocolate were seriously important tools of diplomacy (in which he was a master of the trade) and team building (the latter in the form of laugh till you cry story telling sessions with a “tad” too many people in Jeremy’s hotel room). He also took me on my first visit to wild lion tamarins - Jim’s field project with GHLTs in Una Biological Reserve. We lucked out! It was one of the most moving wild lion tamarin experiences ever, and Jeremy and I would recount that very special shared memory every time we saw one another. My first trip to Brazil was also the year of the second PHVA conservation planning workshop and my first committee meetings – scary stuff to a newbie. But Jeremy made sure to introduce me to absolutely everybody, and he did it in such a way that dayglow me felt comfortable, welcomed and a valued member of the lion tamarin family from day 1. Not many years later, he asked me to take over from him as coordinator for the GHLTs within the governmental advisory committee. I was worried about measuring up to the task, but he was not – he would see things in you before you could see them yourself. Umpteen meetings to Brazil later, I could not be more grateful for having felt this relationship develop into a deep and mutually respectful working bond and friendship, and a shared ‘not on my watch’ level of commitment to save lion tamarins. We will keep fighting for all four species Jeremy, and while we will dearly miss reminiscing together with you, we will keep reminiscing about you, be it about pulling off of a diplomatic masterpiece such as the repatriation of illegally exported GHLTs, or about winning a local dance contest on the beach in Superagui a mere two hours before a middle-of-the-night-stumble through the rainforest to see Black-faced lion tamarins. We truly stand on the shoulder of giants.
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Saturnino Neto F. de Sousa -- Reserva Biológica de Uma, Ilheus, Bahia, Brasil
A notícia do falecimento do Sr. Jeremy Mallinson deixa um sentimento forte da perda de quem muito contribuiu para a manutenção do mico leão de cara dourada e seu habitat.
O Sr. Mallinson foi incansável e exemplar nas ações para conservação do mico leão da cara dourada, principalmente aqui na Reserva Biológica de Una, onde seu esforço para regularização fundiária da UC será inesquecível de minha parte. O verde dos ecossistemas recuperados é um grande legado. Conforto para seus familiares e amigos.
Saturnino Neto F. de Sousa -- Una Biological Reserve, Ilheus, Bahia, Brasil (translation)
The news of the death of Jeremy Mallinson leaves a deep feeling of loss of one who greatly contributed to saving the golden-headed lion tamarin and its habitat.
Mr. Mallinson was tireless and exemplary in his efforts for the conservation of the golden-headed lion tamarin, especially here in the Una Biological Reserve, where his efforts to resolve land tenure of this protected area will never be forgotten on my part. The green of the restored ecosystems is a great legacy. Comfort for his family and friends.
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Maria Iolita Bampi -- former ICMBio, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
It was with great sadness that I learned of the parting of Mr. Mallinson this last 02 of February.
Along the years when I was heading the Wildlife Department and later the General Fauna Coordination at ICMBio, I had the great privilege of working with Jeremy Mallinson in the arduous battle to recover threatened primate species in Brazil.
The enormous progress in the conservation of these species owes much to Mr. Mallinson’s commitment and brilliant action in the International Committees. With his knowledge, discernment and wisdom, he was a giant in conservation.
In this difficult moment of parting, my words are of gratitude to the dear master, tireless ally, righteous, serene and supporting friend. To his family I convey my sincere embrace and the certainty that his legacy will endure.
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Cecilia Kierulff – President, Instituto Pri-Matas
It is so hard to talk about Jeremy, who meant so much to me. He and Devra Kleiman gave me strength, direction and a strong sense of purpose in my endeavours to save the golden lion tamarins. The memories I have of him are always joyful and amusing. He provided the support I needed to search for and count the remaining populations of golden lion tamarins in the devastated forests of Rio de Janeiro and was the first to fund the translocation of groups that I found isolated in remote and tiny forest patches. We were able to catch them and transfer them to a larger, safe forest, now the União Biological Reserve, with the help of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
When he and Devra went to see the reserve, I invited then to stay at the refurbished house there, our base for monitoring the introduced lion tamarins. Dona Maria, our cook, had gone home, however, and had left the gas stove on! We turned off the stove and opened all the windows, but it was still too dangerous to stay inside, and so tired we were after a long day of travel. None of this was a problem for Jeremy! We sat on a bench on the porch, and he pulled a bottle of whisky and a giant Toblerone bar out of his suitcase, and informed us ceremeniously that it would help pass the time. I don't think I've ever laughed so much, the three of us, tearful with laughter, on all sorts of topics, including plans as to how to steal golden-faced lion tamarins held by a recalcitrant amateur animal breeder, to contribute to Jeremy’s studbook for the species. James Bond would have been impressed! When the bottle of whisky was dry and the Toblerone no more, we had completely forgotten about the gas when we went to sleep. The next day we visited the forest and loved it, and both Jeremy’s and Devra’s support allowed me to complete the project over the following years.
The meetings of the International Committee for the Management and Conservation of Lion Tamarins were long, and discussions sometimes felt endless. However, the beers and impromptu parties that took place afterwards, for everyone to relax and fraternize, were great. Jeremy was always one of the most exhiliarated, and when we were already tired at the end of the day, he still had the energy to dance! I miss those meetings – I learned so much, and only those who participated can understand how important they were for the conservation of lion tamarins.
When I went to do my PhD at Cambridge University, Jeremy invited me to give a lecture in Jersey. I remember, as if it were today, that after six months living in England, I was finally able to understand and maintain a fluent dialogue with Jeremy in English! Before my communication had been poor and understanding patchy, but we never had problems in understanding each other, even though he would sometimes patiently repeat himself, often more than once, for me to understand. In Jersey, Jeremy invited me to dinner to meet his wife, who I loved, and to see his wonderful house, always so very kind in that aristocratic, English way that I had only ever seen in the movies!
Jeremy inspired me with his dedication. He invited me to accompany him on his early-morning walk through the zoo, which he told me he did every day, showing me by example the importance of being closely involved in every detail, knowing each person on the team, and being aware of all that was going on. Regardless of how busy he was, he made this inspection every morning. That was passion! His eyes shone! Jeremy never treated me like a student, and from the moment I first met him he respected me as a researcher and treated me as an equal, without arrogance or superiority, even though he was who he was, such an important and special person.
Jeremy’s wisdom, good sense, kindness, and leadership and guidance were formative in my life dedicated to the protection and recovery of the golden lion tamarins, and I miss him so.
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Alcides Pissinatti –Director, Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro (CPRJ), Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (INEA)
Esse Senhor é uma pessoa notável e que deve ser reverenciada na Conservação, principalmente da Mata Atlântica brasileira, ao nível de Coimbra Filho. Num tempo de nada, ele também foi visionário, colaborativo e amigo.
Translation: He was such a remarkable person, and who is revered in conservation, especially of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. He was on the level of Coimbra Filho. At the same time, he was also a visionary, collaborative, and a friend.
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Tributes published in local Jersey news in February 2021:
https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2021/02/07/tributes-paid-to-the-right-hand-man-of-gerald-durrell/