Chester Zoo has celebrated a historic first with the birth of fossa triplets, the first pups of the species born at the zoo in its 91-year history. The 12-week-old trio, one male and two females, were spotted emerging from their den by keepers. They were born to five-year-old adults Shala and Isalo in July, and names have yet to be chosen.
Fossas are slender, cat-like mammals with long tails, distant relatives of the mongoose. They can grow up to 1.8 metres from nose to tail tip and weigh up to 12 kilograms. Endemic to Madagascar, they are considered one of the world's most elusive carnivores, with conservationists struggling to observe them in the wild.
Zookeeper Rachael Boatwright said: 'While it's still early days, the three pups are doing great and are now full of confidence as they learn to climb trees and explore together, all under the watchful eye of mum, of course.' She added that the birth is a 'huge cause for celebration' and will help the endangered species breeding programme.
Only around 2,600 fossas remain in the wild, threatened by deforestation. Chester Zoo has been involved in habitat conservation in Madagascar for over a decade. Mike Jordan, director of animals and plants, said the new arrivals give conservationists 'hope' for the species' future.
