Chester Zoo has reopened an exotic enclosure complete with its own rain machine less than two years after it was destroyed by a devastating fire that killed several animals.
Some insects, frogs, fish and small birds perished in the blaze which engulfed the zoo’s Monsoon Forest on December 15, 2018.
Keepers and firefighters saved six endangered orangutans, four gibbons and 18 macaques by guiding them to safety by waving bananas at them.
Doctor Mark Pilgrim looks out from the main viewpoint of the Monsoon Forest
Sumatran Orangutan’s enjoying their new house. Chester Zoo has reopened an exotic enclosure complete with its own rain machine less than two years after it was destroyed by a devastating fire
A girl watches a Sunda gharial in the newly reopened Monsoon Forest habitat area at Chester Zoo, which was closed following a fire in December 2018
The fire is believed to have been caused by a faulty lamp and wellwishers raised more than £220,000 in just one week to have it rebuilt.
On Saturday, the Monsoon Forest will reopen to the public and drone images show the incredible transformation since the fire.
It boasts 70 animal species, more than 2,500 plants and runs its own weather system – including an indoor rain machine.
The zoo’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mark Pilgrim said: ‘This is the jewel in the crown of our zoo.
Zoo Keeper Amber Flewitt waters the tropical plants. The 3000m2 building is home to more than 2,600 tropical plants and 33 animal species
A baby Sumatran Orangutan enjoys her new house with mum. Preparations are underway for Chester Zoo’s Monsoon Forest, the largest zoological building in the UK, which will open it’s doors tomorrow to the public – nearly two years after the tragic fire
‘We’ve got around 70 species of insects and animals and about 2,500 plant species – everything you would find in a tropical rain forest.
‘I’m delighted to be opening up again.
‘On the day of the fire it was really devastating for us. It was a huge operation to get all the animals out safely.
Devastating fire: Dramatic aerial view of the fire damaged enclosure at Chester Zoo, following a blaze on December 15, 2018
‘The rebuild over the last couple of years has been phenomenal and the staff have been brilliant at recreating what was here before.’
Describing the impact the coronavirus has had on the zoo, which closed during lockdown, Dr Pilgrim said: ‘It’s been really tough.
‘We closed down for a number of months, we had a £5million hole in our finances, but we are welcoming people back now with social distancing.
Zoo Keeper Hannah puts fruit on trees for the birds. On Saturday, the Monsoon Forest will reopen to the public and drone images show the incredible transformation since the fire
A baby Sumatran Orangutan enjoys her new house with mum. The zoo’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mark Pilgrim said: ‘This is the jewel in the crown of our zoo’
A baby Sumatran orangutan clings to its mother in the newly reopened Monsoon Forest habitat area at Chester Zoo
‘We’re okay, we’re moving along but we are restricted by the number of people who can come through but we are happy to be open.’
The South East Asia inspired rainforest closed after the blaze which was tackled by more than 80 firefighters on December 15, 2018>
Eyewitnesses described how visitors to the attraction – billed as the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the UK – were rushed to safety as the blaze spread rapidly through the polymer roofing material.
A girl interacts with an Sumatran orangutan in the newly reopened Monsoon Forest habitat area at Chester Zoo
One person was treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the fire, according to North West Ambulance Service.
The zoo initially said all animals were accounted for as staff led the creatures housed in the structure to safety but later said they were still tracking smaller animals down.
Zoo officials said the ‘strong bond’ between animals and zoo keepers had helped get the mammals out alive.
Keepers coaxed the animals – including six orangutans, four gibbons and 18 macaques – away from the flames by tempting them with bananas and led them to their outside area.
At its height about 75 firefighters were battling the blaze, which caused significant damage to the entrance area and first floor visitors walkway.
Dramatic aerial view of the fire damaged enclosure at Chester Zoo, following the blaze two years ago
One person was treated for smoke inhalation as a result of the fire, according to North West Ambulance Service
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Lee Shears said at the time: ‘Firefighters and zoo staff worked closely together in an incredibly challenging situation to evacuate the building and rescue as many animals as possible.
‘The professionalism and expertise of the staff at the zoo meant that many precious species were saved.’
Following an investigation, the blaze was ruled as an accidental fire caused by an electrical fault.
A conservation fundraising page, was set up in response to a deluge of offers of support, raised more than £220,000 just one week after the fire.
The funds are being spent on the zoo’s charitable mission to prevent extinction, specifically its work to protect critically endangered species in South East Asia.