Rare and endangered fossa pups born at UK zoo take first steps
Chester Zoo is celebrating the “incredibly special” birth of four fossa cubs, a rare and highly threatened species.
Fossa is a slender, cat-like mammal and the largest natural predator in Madagascar. There are fewer than 2,500 fossas estimated to remain in the wild, mostly due to deforestation.
Their long tails help maintain balance as they leap between tree branches, and the species is considered one of the world’s most elusive carnivores; so much so that conservationists have difficulty monitoring them.
On July 8, 2025, two healthy male and two female cubs were born to parents Shala and seven-year-old male Zaza. Zaza arrived from the San Diego Zoo in the US in May after being identified as a promising genetic match with Shala.
The cubs are now 12 weeks old and are taking their first steps, delighting zoo keepers and visitors.
Chester Zoo said in a statement that the team would soon start choosing names for the cubs, “as their personalities emerge, one pair are bold and courageous, while the others are more cautious and like to stay close to the mother.”
Mark Brayshaw, Head of Mammals, said: “These births are incredibly special. Not only are they the only litters in the UK and a vital addition to the European breeding programme, but they also give us a unique opportunity to learn more about their biology, behavior and social dynamics.
“This insight helps us build a more complete picture of the species, which is then used to inform conservation efforts in the wild.”
Fossa is listed as “vulnerable to extinction” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In 2015, the government of Madagascar established the Mangabe New Reserve, which is co-managed by the zoo’s field partner, Madagasikara Voakajy, and communities living in the Mangabe region.
The area provides a safe haven for thousands of species that live on the island, including the fossa.
Conservationists at Chester Zoo have been working with partners in Madagascar for over 15 years to protect habitats and restore forests.
