A fundraising page set up after a devastating fire Chester Zoo hit target in just hours.
£50,000 has been raised in support of the zoo’s Monsoon Forest habitat, which was destroyed on Saturday.
Thousands of donations from animal lovers flooded in after the JustGiving page was set up on Sunday, as Chester Zoo announced it would reopen to the public.
The zoo spoke of its heartbreak after revealing staff were unable to save insects, frogs, fish and small birds.
The devastating fire broke out yesterday at Chester Zoo’s Monsoon Forest habitat and a ‘major incident’ was declared.
"Keepers were able to encourage all mammal species away from the fire and to safety – including the zoo’s group of critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, Sulawesi macaques, endangered silvery gibbons and birds such as rhinoceros hornbills," Jamie Christon, Chief Operating Officer, said in a statement.
He added: "We are though, devastated to say that we were unable to save some of our insects, frogs, fish and small birds who were located near to the outbreak of the fire.
"It’s absolutely heart-breaking to lose any animal, especially when conservationists have worked so hard to breed these wonderful species."
The horror fire was described as one of the "toughest days in Chester Zoo’s long history."
Mr Christon added: "The remarkable efforts from the zoo team and the emergency services meant the fire was extinguished as quickly as possible."
On Saturday, shocked visitors were asked to leave the zoo in Cheshire, which is home to more than 21,000 animals, including endangered species.
The blaze took hold in the popular attraction’s Monsoon Forest habitat, which houses Sumatran orangutans, macaques and crocodiles.
It is described as "the largest indoor zoo exhibit in UK history" – with animal teams forced to move all creatures away from the flames.
If you’d like to donate to Chester Zoo’s Monsoon Forest Fund, visit their JustGiving page here.
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