A rare and endangered Malagasy fossa has arrived at Chester Zoo, as part of a mission to protect the endangered species.

The fossa is the largest natural predator in Madagascar, known for hunting lemurs, birds, lizards, and small mammals.

While they have retractable claws like cats, fossas are actually more closely related to mongooses.

The seven-year-old male, Zaza, travelled from San Diego Zoo as part of an international breeding programme.

Fossas are native to Madagascar and with fewer than 2,500 left in the wild, their habitats are threatened by deforestation.

Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at Chester Zoo, said: "Zaza is part of a global conservation breeding programme.

The fossa is the largest natural predator in Madagascar (Image via: Chester Zoo)

"The fossa is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"Its wild habitats in Madagascar are under threat from rapid development.

"Zaza's move to Chester Zoo is an important part of the international effort to ensure this wonderful and unique species is safeguarded long into the future."

At Chester Zoo, Zaza and Shala will be carefully introduced to one another to ensure a natural relationship—just as they would in the wild.

Jack Cunningham, Carnivore Keeper at Chester Zoo, said: "Initially we plan to rotate the two of them separately around different parts of their habitat so they can smell each other.

"They can see each other through a glass window and there's also a screen we can slide open between their dens which allows them to see each other, without being able to get to one another straight away.

"It's all part of our slow and gradual introduction process."

Zaza and Shala's potential to produce pups plays a crucial role in preserving the species.