Conservationists at Chester Zoo are celebrating the birth of the UK’s only fossa pups.

The four rare pups, born to parents Shala and Zaza, are the first of their kind to be born in the UK this year, and one of only three litters born in all zoos across Europe in 2025.

Carnivore experts at the zoo have hailed the arrival of the two male and two female pups as “vital new additions” to an international breeding programme which is working to ensure the continued survival of the species. 

The birth of the pups comes after seven-year-old male Zaza arrived in Chester from San Diego Zoo in the USA in May, having been identified as an excellent genetic match for resident female, Shala.

The fossa, a slender, cat-like mammal and the largest natural predator in Madagascar, is a highly threatened species with fewer than 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild, largely due to mass deforestation.

Mark Brayshaw, Head of Mammals at Chester Zoo, said:

“The fossa is one of the world’s most mysterious and least-known carnivores - they’re so secretive that even the most experienced conservationists can go years without catching a glimpse of them in the wild as they move silently through Madagascar’s forests.

“These births are therefore incredibly special. Not only are they the only pups in the UK and vital new additions to a European breeding programme designed to safeguard the species from extinction, their arrival gives us a unique opportunity to learn more about their biology, behaviours 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 pups are born blind, weighing about 100g (about the same as a small apple) and first leave their den several months after birth.

Having been born on 8 July 2025, the 12-week-old pups at the zoo have now been spotted venturing out for the first time by zookeepers and zoo visitors.

Dave Hall, Team Manager of carnivores at the zoo, added:

“Welcoming four newborn fossa pups is such an incredible moment for us - and seeing them venture out of the den for the very first time has been a real privilege. They’re already showing off their adventurous sides by climbing and exploring every branch they can find. Mum Shala certainly has her paws full when it comes to keeping track of them all, but she’s doing a brilliant job and is a very attentive mum.

“A recent vet check revealed that the quartet consists of two males and two females. We’re going to start to draw up a list of potential names for them as each of the pups develops its own distinct personality - a couple are bold and brave, while the others a little more cautious and tentative and tend to stick close by to mum.

“The birth of this litter is a major boost for the international conservation breeding programme in zoos globally. We’re now really excited to see how they develop.”

The fossa is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservationists from Chester Zoo, working alongside partners in Madagascar, have been protecting habitats on the island for more than 15 years.

Fossa fact file:

• Four pups (two males, two females) were born on 8 July 2025 to parents Shala and Zaza and have spent the first few months of life in a behind-the-scenes den.
• Fossa are Madagascar’s largest predator and play a key role in controlling prey species such as lemurs.
• They can grow up to 6ft long (nose to tail) and weigh up to 12kg.
• Adapted for a life in the trees, they use long tails for balance and can climb down headfirst with the help of retractable claws.
• Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with as few as 2,600 individuals left in the wild.
• Their biggest threat is deforestation – up to 90% of Madagascar’s forests have already been lost.

Pictured - The UK’s only fossa pups leave their den for the first time after being born at Chester Zoo.