Chester zoo is on fire

[KathrynOfArrogance]

And I really want to go and help the animals but I know they wouldn't let me anyway!
People are important too but the poor animals must be so so stressed!
AIBU to want them to escape :(

[IShitChristmasGlitter]

These are the pictures of the damage done. On one it does just look like the roof space fingers crossed but on the other one it looks like its been utterly destroyed

[Lovemusic33]

I’m not a huge fan of Zoos but they are important for breeding programmes, most zoos do not have loads of money despite the high costs of getting in, there outgoings are huge and most money made gets put back in to new breeding programmes and repares. Chester zoo is one of the best zoos and what happened yesterday was just awful, I hope all the animals can be housed in appropriate accommodation until it can be rebuilt.

[Cheby]

The zoo have updated their statement to say they are open today, with the islands section closed. Lanterns is on tonight and for the rest of the week.

We have been members for years, usually go at least once a month. It’s devastating.

Im very worried about the press they are going to get when the inevitable news that some animals have died is released. Twitter is absolutely full of people saying all the animals are safe/accounted for. I think it stemmed from a tweet from local emergency services which was then deleted. Lots of news outlets ran the story that all animals were safe, then changed it to mammals. Seeing the scale of the fire in the pictures, and knowing there were hundreds of free flying birds in the Monsoon Forest, as well as reptiles in very large tanks/habitats, I was always doubtful they could have saved them all. I think the staff have done an incredible job, eyewitnesses said that fire was through the roof within minutes of them leaving the building. The staff’s quick actions saved all visitors, but my worry is there will be a backlash against them when people hear about the animals.

The zoo does incredible work and is a wonderful place to visit, I hope that isn’t damaged by any bad press after this.

[Lovemusic33]

I agree, there must have been some fatalities due to the amount of birds and reptiles in there, birds are not that easy to round up if flying freely, I’m guessing some could have flew out and some could have died . They would have prioritised the bigger mammals first which is understandable.

[OnTrain]

I don't think the haters of zoos understand how much effort, particularly with Chester, they put in to conservation throughout the world. Don't Chester have a linked charity or project in the country of origin of every animal in their zoo?

I do agree however that not all zoos are the same. I lived near Chester growing up and loved its work. I now live in the Lakes and went to the wildlife zoo in Ulverston/Barrow and was appauled. Also appaluled by the welsh highland zoo too

[RedForShort]

Think zoo haters are being idealistic. Yes, it's not fabulous for wild animals to be in captivity. But for those animals that are critically endangered the alternative isn't them roaming in the wild.

[OnTrain]

I'm not even sure that many of these zoo animals are wild? Many nowadays are born and bred in the zoo, so much like owning a dog

[RedForShort]

I undersrand your meaning, but they are still wild. Domesticated doesn't mean captive or tame.

Domestication takes a very long time (generational). It involves breeding selection by humans to erase some traits and encourage other traits. There are wild dogs still (don't mean feral) and they differ to domesticated species of dogs.

[OnTrain]

Yeah you're right red I thought about it after I wrote it

[MidnightAura]

Not a huge fan of zoos but I’m sorry to read what happened. They confirmed they lost some fish, frogs, insects and birds that were close to where the fire started.

[SuburbanCrofter]

Maybe we should suggest a Woolly Hugs for the orangutans!

[MiddlingMum]

I don't think the haters of zoos understand how much effort, particularly with Chester, they put in to conservation throughout the world. Don't Chester have a linked charity or project in the country of origin of every animal in their zoo?

The natural habitat for many orang-utans is being destroyed, and so they need to be bred in captivity if the species is to survive. If you eat palm oil then it is incumbent upon you to support anything which will help counter the destruction of the rainforest.

[CatLadyToddlerMother]

Just seen the statement confirming they'd lost insects, fish, frogs and some birds. Those poor keepers I've seen some of the programs with the keepers in and they really care, I hope they're not blaming themselves for not being able to save them.

[brizzledrizzle]

I doubt they could have rescued them without putting human lives at risk, particularly the venomous arachnids and frogs. Such a shame for the keepers.

[Lockheart]

I don’t think think anyone should be surprised that they’ll have lost lots of animals. Imagine trying to catch hundreds of tiny reptiles, amphibians, insects, not forgetting birds, most of whom are likely faster than you and can hide very well, all while the building’s burning to the ground and debris is falling all around you. You can’t train them to evacuate or come to a signal. Mammals (which are all accounted for) are very different.

I know how hard a time I’ve had trying to get my budgie back into his cage at night - I can’t fathom trying to do that a hundred times over in a space many times larger with a raging fire at my back.

[brizzledrizzle]

Having tried to catch escaped stick insects, I agree.

[AnotherOriginalUsername]

Having tried to catch escaped stick insects, I agree

I once had a mass exodus and one of the little twiggy buggers hitched a lift from Bristol to Manchester via train on my suitcase!

[brizzledrizzle]

It might well have met up with some of ours!
We were finding baby ones half way up the curtains for weeks - we got a vase of privet in the end and got them off there each morning.

[KathrynOfArrogance]

Chester is a fantastic zoo that tries to house endangered species in a natural habitat
If you haven't seen secret life of the zoo definitely watch it! I grew up a few doors away from "rhino man" and often see him in the co op!!

Someone has set up a justgiving page which has raised over 50k in 24 hours, I'm so pleased and humbled! Yet sad i am skint due to maternity leave

[mnahmnah]

Surely they are insured to cover the repairs?

[KathrynOfArrogance]

I'm sure they are covered, also sure it would take a long time to sort it out

[ClosdesMouches]

Pleased to see that the justgiving fund is now at 166% of the target.

[ClosdesMouches]

^ should say original target.

[OnTrain]

Yeah they’ve hit over £80k!!! The money isn’t for repairs as this will be insurance. But for rebuilding the breeding programme

[MrsJayy]

I would just like to add to the point of a wild zoo animal is nothing like owning a dog