Four charming fossas — two males and two females — were born at Chester Zoo in the UK in July 2025. Their mother, Shala, mated with a male named Za-Za, brought from the San Diego Zoo (USA) and selected as an optimal genetic partner.
Newborn fossas are born blind and weigh about 100 grams — roughly the same as a small apple. They spend their first months of life in a nest before they start to venture outside.
The fossa is a unique predator and endemic to Madagascar, resembling a mix between a cat and a dog, although its closest relatives are mongooses. With a body length of up to 1.8 meters (including the tail), the fossa is considered the largest predator on the island and plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
Fewer than 2,600 individuals remain in the wild, making this species seriously endangered. The birth of offspring in Chester is a significant event for the European fossa conservation program and helps scientists gain a deeper understanding of their biology and behavior.
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