The mongoose-like creature has been called Durrell's vontsira (Salanoia durrelli) in honour of conservationist Gerald Durrell.

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Many will agree that Durrell's best work is infused with his love of Greece, and that his poetry deserves to be better known.

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Durrell's Head of Conservation Science Dr Richard Young has been at the forefront of the study and subsequent efforts to conserve these creatures.

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Durrell's vontsira and the brown-tailed vontsira are similar but have very different colouring, explained the Natural History Museum's Dr Paula Jenkins, a member of the research team.

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Two of the top three species he has selected, the black lion tamarin and Hispaniolan solenodon are part of the Jersey based Durrell Wildlife Trust's protection programme.

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