Chester Zoo reveal huge fire killed some animals as pictures reveal scale of devastation inside Monsoon Forest habitat

An official confirmed that some insects, frogs, fish and small birds perished in the blaze which caused around £50,000 of damage.

A major incident was declared on Saturday after the fire broke out in the zoo’s Monsoon Forest habitat.

In a statement, Jamie Christon, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Keepers were able to encourage all mammal species away from the fire and to safety – including the zoo’s group of critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques, endangered silvery gibbons and birds such as rhinoceros hornbills.”

He added: "We are though, devastated to say that we were unable to save some of our insects, frogs, fish and small birds who were located near to the outbreak of the fire.

"It’s absolutely heart-breaking to lose any animal, especially when conservationists have worked so hard to breed these wonderful species."






Chester Zoo has re-opened today after a JustGiving page raised around £30,000 in donations from animal lovers.

Dramatic footage showed billowing black smoke and flames engulfing the roof after the blaze erupted at UK's most-visited zoo late on Saturday morning.

The entire zoo, home to 21,000 animals, had to close as firefighters were called to the scene shortly after midday, bringing the blaze under control at 2pm.

One person had to be treated for smoke inhalation but there were no other reports of injuries.

The affected enclosure houses Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques and the Sunda gharial crocodile as well as a number of rare birds.

Zoo bosses have since revealed it will open again today, although some areas will remain closed.



 

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