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Leader Live
31-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Chester Zoo welcomes two bat-eared fox sisters to facility
The two sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, have been welcomed by the zoo's conservationists after travelling more than 500 miles from a zoo in Paris, France. First images show the pair exploring their home at Chester, located in the zoo's new Heart of Africa habitat – the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres in size. The species is named after its distinctive oversized ears and is endemic to the open savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. In the wild, bat-eared foxes face increasing threats, largely due to habitat loss caused by agriculture, human encroachment and hunting. Zoo experts say that, in future, they plan to introduce one of sisters to a male fox and go on to play a vital role in the conservation breeding programme that is working to safeguard the species. Chester Zoo David White, team manager at Chester Zoo, said: 'It's incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after a 30-year hiatus and they're a wonderful addition to our new Heart of Africa habitat. 'They're a truly unique and fascinating species with some amazing adaptations. 'Their enormous ears aren't just for show – they act like satellite dishes and help the foxes detect the tiniest of movements coming from insects beneath the ground, allowing them to detect prey with pinpoint accuracy. 'They're so sensitive that they can even hear termites chewing underground.' David added that Maasai and Malindi are settling in well so far, with new housemates – a family of 12 Cape porcupines. He added: 'These two species would often come across one another in the wild, so we've recreated this right here at Chester. 'In time, we hope to introduce one of the two sisters to a male fox, with the hope that we can contribute to the European conservation breeding programme – helping to ensure there's a healthy, genetically diverse back-up population in human care. 'Like many species found in the African savannah, bat-eared foxes are under threat as their habitat becomes more fragmented as a result of human activity. MOST VIEWED 'That's why our teams are on the ground in several national parks across Kenya and Uganda safeguarding some of the continent's rarest species like northern giraffe, giant pangolins, mountain bongo and Eastern black rhino. 'By protecting these species and their habitats we're also helping many of Africa's little known species like bat-eared foxes, that share the same habitats, to go on to thrive once again.' The zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife, from supporting the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking.
BBC News
31-03-2025
- BBC News
Chester Zoo opens huge African savannah for 57 species
A 22.5 acre (nine hectare) savannah, designed to replicate the grasslands of Africa, is to open at Chester of the UK's biggest habitats to be created, the Heart of Africa zone is home to 57 species including giraffe, zebra, antelope and endangered vultures, a colony of naked mole rats, Africa's largest frog and 15,000 locusts will also call it home when it opens on say it will stand as a "vibrant symbol" of the zoo's commitment to conservation. Spanning more than 17 football pitches, it has been designed to recreate a variety of grassland habitats found across central area, which is expected to create 30 new jobs, is also home to a host of other mammal species including meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, Eastern black rhino, yellow mongoose, rock hyrax and are more than 30 species of bird within several new habitats, including a flock of 107 greater flamingos, three species of critically endangered vulture - white-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures - and lovebirds. Jamie Christon, the zoo's chief executive officer, said: "Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us. "We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah.""To bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
First look inside Chester Zoo's new Heart of Africa area before it opens to visitors
The largest UK zoo habitat ever created - home to 57 iconic African species - is set to open at Chester Zoo. The new Heart of Africa zone, spanning more than 22.5 acres, has been designed to recreate a variety of grassland habitats found across central Africa. Taking centre stage in the new area is a vast open savannah where, for the first time at the zoo, visitors will encounter northern giraffes, Grevy's zebras, roan antelopes and ostrich, all living together side-by-side. Away from the sweeping grasslands, a new indoor habitat, named Hidden Savannah, shines a spotlight on Africa's desert dwellers and less heralded species. Here, guests will come face-to-face with naked mole rats burrowing through tunnels, as well as other rodent species such as short-eared sengi and pygmy mice. READ MORE: I visited the 'best place to live in the UK' just 20 miles from Liverpool, and now I'm packing my bags READ MORE: Bittersweet end for a Liverpool institution marks transition to 'heart and soul of Malaysian cuisine' Eleven cold-blooded animals can also be found, including the African bullfrog, the largest frog species in Africa, dung beetles, red spitting cobra, Ethiopian viper, critically endangered pancake tortoises and an immersive new habitat where visitors can climb into a Land Rover surrounded by 15,000 locusts. Keen birders will also spot more than 30 species of bird within several new habitats, including a flock of 107 iconic greater flamingos, three species of critically endangered vulture - white-headed vultures, African white-backed vultures, and hooded vultures - colourful black-cheeked lovebirds, the continent's rarest species of lovebird, and the Verreaux's eagle owl, the largest owl found in Africa. The area is also home to a host of other mammal species including meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, Eastern black rhino, yellow mongoose, rock hyrax and dik-dik. Heart of Africa is expected to create 30 new jobs at the zoo. Jamie Christon, CEO at Chester Zoo, said: 'Heart of Africa is the largest and most ambitious zoo development ever undertaken in the UK. It stands as a vibrant symbol of our commitment to safeguarding wildlife across Africa, ensuring its future for generations to come. 'Introducing such a diverse range of species into one shared habitat is a first for us. We want visitors to feel fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the African savannah, and what better way to achieve that than by seeing northern giraffe, Grevy's zebra, ostrich, and roan antelope roaming together, just as they would in Africa? It's truly a breathtaking sight. 'To bring this vision to life, our expert teams have planted over 6,000 trees, shrubs, and grasses, while also welcoming many species to the zoo for the first time. We're proud to join international breeding programmes that will leverage our teams' expertise to protect threatened species, including vultures, naked mole rats, and the highly venomous red spitting cobra. We're also welcoming back beloved species, with new homes for meerkats, African wild dogs, aardvarks, porcupines, and critically endangered eastern black rhinos. 'This marks a significant new chapter for Chester Zoo. As an international wildlife charity, Heart of Africa will help us connect hundreds of thousands of people with nature, generate jobs and economic growth for the region, and continue our vital conservation work in Africa, long into the future. It's the most complex habitat we've ever created, and we can't wait to invite visitors into this extraordinary new space.' Dr. Gerardo Garcia, Head of Ectotherms at Chester Zoo, added: 'Africa is one of six regions where we're actively working to protect some of the planet's most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems. Our efforts range from supporting the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking. "We're also pioneering endocrinology science to help increase eastern black rhino populations in Kenya and supporting initiatives like the Maasai Olympics, a sporting event where the culture of hunting lions has been replaced with sport. 'Heart of Africa celebrates these conservation successes but also reminds us that our work is far from finished. Every species here carries an important story with many facing real threats in the wild. That's why every visit to the zoo and this new zone will make a difference. "As a charity, it'll provide a boost to our funds that will see us protect even more of Africa's incredible wildlife, with plans already in place to save new species of reptile and amphibians from extinction. 'We hope this huge new part of Chester Zoo inspires action from those who visit - whether that's making more sustainable choices or supporting conservation efforts. Together, we can help ensure that Africa's wildlife not only survives but thrives into the future.' In addition to the wildlife experiences, Heart of Africa also features Pamoja Village, a cultural space offering visitors a taste of African traditions, from authentic street food to immersive storytelling from the wild. It aims to not only create a deeper appreciation for Africa's wildlife, but also for the communities that live alongside it. Heart of Africa will open to visitors from Saturday, April 5. Entry is included with normal zoo admission. Zoo tickets can be booked via The opening of Heart of Africa comes ahead of the unveiling of another exciting new development at the zoo this summer. The Reserve, Chester Zoo's answer to a premium safari getaway right here in the UK, will feature 51 luxury African-themed lodges, offering guests the chance to stay overnight at the zoo in support of conservation for the very first time.
