Chester Zoo

Conservationists Hatch World’s Largest Chameleon At Chester Zoo In UK Zoo First

Reptile experts at Chester Zoo have become the first in the UK to successfully breed the world’s largest chameleon.

Staff at the conservation zoo believe it to be the first time ever that the rare Parson’s chameleon has hatched in a UK zoo – according to official records.

So far 10 chameleons have emerged from their eggs, with another 17 still in incubation. Parson’s chameleons currently hold the record for the longest incubation period of any reptile – the process of the eggs being laid and then hatching taking up to around two years.

Reptile experts at Chester Zoo have become the first in the UK to breed rare Parson_s chameleons   (23)

Continue reading "Conservationists Hatch World’s Largest Chameleon At Chester Zoo In UK Zoo First" »


Chester Zoo FIRST: Rare Fossa Triplets Born

A rare trio of fossa triplets have emerged from their den after being born at Chester Zoo.

The 12-week-old pups, who have arrived to parents Shala and Isalo are only now beginning to venture outside after remaining tucked away for their first few weeks of life.

The trio are a “huge cause for celebration” as they are the first of their kind to ever be born at the zoo in its 91-year history.

Troublesome trio! Playful fossa triplets emerge from their den after being born at Chester Zoo (7)

Continue reading "Chester Zoo FIRST: Rare Fossa Triplets Born" »


WATCH: Giraffe Falls 6ft To The Ground As Its Mum Gives Birth At Chester Zoo

Cameras at Chester Zoo have captured the moment a rare giraffe arrives into the world.

The adorable newcomer, who was born falling more than two metres (6ft) onto a bed of soft straw, arrived to 14-year-old mum, Orla, on Saturday (6 August) at 2:57am – bringing an end to a 15 month-long (473 day) pregnancy.

Keepers have named the new male calf Stanley after Mount Stanley, the tallest mountain in Uganda in Africa, where the zoo’s conservationists are fighting to boost giraffe numbers.

Giraffe-calf-Stanley-1

Continue reading "WATCH: Giraffe Falls 6ft To The Ground As Its Mum Gives Birth At Chester Zoo" »


Fruity Names For New Chester Zoo Penguin Chicks

Nine adorable penguin chicks have hatched at Chester Zoo – and keepers have named them after their favourite fruits!

The first of the Humboldt penguins to emerge from its egg, Plum, has since been joined by eight others, including Peach, Papaya, Cherry and Rhubarb.

Hatching at a weight of just 80g, penguin chicks triple in size in their first three weeks of life and quickly reach around 3kg, just like their parents.

After spending their early weeks of life tucked away in their nests being cared for and fed by their attentive parents, the tiny youngsters have now begun swimming lessons.

Fruity names for new Chester Zoo penguin chicks 8

Continue reading "Fruity Names For New Chester Zoo Penguin Chicks" »


Rare Cotton-Top Tamarin Monkey Born At Chester Zoo

One of the world’s most endangered primates has been born at Chester Zoo.

The rare baby cotton-top tamarin monkey arrived to first time parents Treat (3) and Leo (5), measuring just 10cm from head to tail and weighing a mere 40g.

Conservationists at the zoo say they are “overjoyed” at the birth, with cotton-top tamarins listed as critically endangered on the International Union of Conservation and Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. It’s estimated that just 2,000 breeding animals remain in the wild - tamarins have already undergone a large reduction in their numbers and are predicted to decline by 80% in the next 20 years, making them one of rarest of all primate species.

Rare cotton-top tamarin monkey born at Chester Zoo 2

MORE PHOTOS BELOW!

Continue reading "Rare Cotton-Top Tamarin Monkey Born At Chester Zoo" »


“Incredibly Special” Okapi Born At Chester Zoo

A rare okapi has given birth to an “incredibly special” calf at Chester Zoo. 

Incredibly special okapi born at Chester Zoo kicks up her feet in first outdoor adventure (72)

The wide-eyed infant, born to first-time mum Ada and dad Stomp, has remained snuggled up in her nest ever since her arrival into the world. But now, the shy youngster has started to take her very first tentative steps outside as she begins to gain in confidence.

Continue reading "“Incredibly Special” Okapi Born At Chester Zoo" »


Joy As First Baby Aardvark Is Born At Chester Zoo

An adorable aardvark has been born at Chester Zoo for the first time in the charity’s 90-year history.

ZConservationist Dave White is helping to hand rear the new calf  prodiving around-the-clock care (9)

Conservationists at the zoo were “overjoyed” to discover the new arrival snuggled up with mum Oni (8) and dad Koos (6) after it had been born overnight on 4 January.

The aardvark calf  nicknamed Dobby  is being hand reared by experts at Chester Zoo who are providing around-the-clock care (14)

The calf, born with large droopy ears, hairless wrinkled skin and giant claws, is currently being hand-reared every evening by zookeepers who are providing dedicated care, feeding the baby every few hours through the night for around five weeks, to help it gain strength.

The first aardvark to ever be born at Chester Zoo  nicknamed Dobby  snuggles up with new mum Oni (23)

The sex of the new calf is yet to be determined but staff have nicknamed the youngster Dobby due to its resemblance to the much-loved Harry Potter character.

Continue reading "Joy As First Baby Aardvark Is Born At Chester Zoo" »


Adorable Baby Mandrills Born At Chester Zoo After Ten Year Wait

Seeing double! Conservationists at Chester Zoo are celebrating the birth of two baby mandrills – the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in more than a decade.

Adorable baby mandrills have been born at Chester Zoo after a ten year wait (2)

Chester Zoo is celebrating the birth of not one but two baby mandrills.

The precious primates entered the world just five weeks apart and are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in more than a decade.

The first to arrive was born to 10-year-old mum Brio, providing her with her first taste of parenthood, with the second infant arriving to more experienced mum, Obi (17). The new babies are half siblings and share the same dad, Kamau (11).

Mandrills are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species, with numbers in the wild having declined significantly in recent years.

Continue reading "Adorable Baby Mandrills Born At Chester Zoo After Ten Year Wait" »