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German monkey sanctuary burns down, leaving two surviving chimpanzees | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A German zoo has confirmed that its "worst fears have become a reality" after a fire destroyed an enclosure, killing almost all its monkeys. | |
Krefeld Zoo initially said all the animals had been killed, but later reported two chimpanzees had survived. | |
The 2,000 sq m (6,500 sq ft) enclosure housed rare Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets. | |
Police say the fire may have been caused by Chinese or "sky" lanterns used to celebrate New Year. | |
"People reported seeing those sky lanterns flying at low altitude near the zoo and then it started burning," said Gerd Hoppmann, the city's head of criminal police. | |
He said investigators had also found used lanterns near the burnt down enclosure. | |
Known as a fire hazard, sky lanterns are banned in Germany. | |
The monkey house at Krefeld Zoo was built in 1975 and recreated a tropical climate for rainforest inhabitants, which included fruit bats and free-flying birds, as well as primates. | |
Krefeld Zoo said it was a "miracle" that two chimpanzees, Bally and Limbo, survived the fire. They are slightly injured but being looked after by vets. | |
The zoo also confirmed that the Gorilla Garden nearby - which houses western lowland gorillas - was spared. | |
Kidogo - the gorilla that lives there with his family - was fine, Krefeld Zoo said. | |
The zoo thanked people for their "overwhelming wave of compassion". | |
"We ask for your understanding that we cannot be there for you today," it said regarding its decision to close on New Year's Day. | |
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