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Chester Zoo starts fundraising bid after fire | Chester Zoo starts fundraising bid after fire |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Chester Zoo is appealing for £50,000 in funds after a fire destroyed most of the roof in one of its key attractions. | |
The blaze started on Saturday morning in the Monsoon Forest area, leading to an evacuation of visitors. The zoo said the cause of the fire was unknown. | |
Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are accounted for, but staff are trying to find other species, including birds. | |
The zoo, which has more than 21,000 animals, said it would "move animals to alternative habitats". | |
"Given that this is the UK's largest zoo tropical house, this will take some time," a spokesperson said. | |
"The zoo's experts will be working intensively in the coming days and weeks to do this." | |
The site reopened to visitors on Sunday, but a zoo spokesperson said the Monsoon Forest area and Islands zone would remain shut as "our conservationists and vets continue to provide expert care and attention for the species there". | |
Fifteen fire crews and ambulance staff attended after the blaze broke out just before 11:30 GMT on Saturday. | |
One person was treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. | |
The Monsoon Forest habitat is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction. It opened in August 2015. | |
It houses Sumatran orangutans, crocodiles and various plant species. | |
The 14-acre section has its own weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions in South East Asia. | |
The zoo thanked members of the public for "the overwhelming messages of goodwill... they have been of great comfort to our teams". | |
Chester Zoo officially opened in 1931 and is the UK's most visited zoo, drawing nearly two million visitors annually. | Chester Zoo officially opened in 1931 and is the UK's most visited zoo, drawing nearly two million visitors annually. |