Summer visitors to Chester Zoo can now meet a new mammal that has travelled from the US to become a resident.
Formerly dwelling in the famous San Diego Zoo, Zaza is rare fossa, a carnivorous animal native to Madagascar and comes to Chester to breed with the Shala, a female of his species. The move is part of an international initiative to protect the Malagasy fossa, which is a highly endangered animal.
Keepers at Chester hope the new partnership will bolster the world’s fossa population, as only 2,500 remain in the wild due to deforestation.
This partnership is hoped to bring new life to the fossa population, contributing to the survival of these remarkable predators. Madagascar is the native home of the fossa, and there are less than 2,500 left in total in the wild, as their natural habitats continue to be threatened by deforestation.
Head of Mammals for Chester Zoo, Mark Brayshaw, commented:
“Under threat from rapid development, Zaza’s move to Chester Zoo is an important part of the international effort to ensure this wonderful and unique species is safeguarded long into the future. We’re very pleased to see him arrive.”
The largest natural predator of Madagascar, fossa are cat-like in appearance with retractable claws but are related to mongooses. In the wilds of Madagascar, they hunt lizards, lemurs, birds and smaller mammals. Shala and Zaza are now being slowly introduced to each other to replicate a natural courtship for the species.
Chester Zoo is based just 11 minutes away from the city walls.
