Four rare fossa pups were recently born at Chester Zoo.

As the first of their kind to be born in the UK this year, they are one of only three litters born in all zoos across Europe in 2025.

Experts at the zoo have hailed the arrivals as "vital new additions" to an international breeding programme working to ensure the continued survival of the species. 

The fossa, a slender, cat-like mammal, is the largest natural predator in Madagascar.

It is a highly threatened species with fewer than 2,500 estimated to remain in the wild, largely due to mass deforestation.

"These births are therefore incredibly special," said Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at Chester Zoo.

"The fossa is one of the world's most mysterious and least-known carnivores - they're so secretive that even the most experienced conservationists can go years without catching a glimpse of them in the wild as they move silently through Madagascar's forests.

"Their arrival gives us a unique opportunity to learn more about their biology, behaviours and social dynamics.

"This insight helps us build a more complete picture of the species, which is then used to inform conservation efforts in the wild."

Fossa pups are born blind, weighing about 100g (about the same as a small apple) and first leave their den several months after birth.

Having been born on 8 July 2025, the 12-week-old pups at the zoo have now been spotted venturing out for the first time by zookeepers and zoo visitors.

Dave Hall, Team Manager of carnivores at the zoo, added: "Mum Shala certainly has her paws full when it comes to keeping track of them all, but she's doing a brilliant job and is a very attentive mum.

"Welcoming four newborn fossa pups is such an incredible moment for us. They're already showing off their adventurous sides by climbing and exploring every branch they can find.

"We're going to start to draw up a list of potential names for them as each of the pups develops its own distinct personality - a couple are bold and brave, while the others a little more cautious and tentative and tend to stick close by to mum."

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

Conservationists from Chester Zoo, working alongside partners in Madagascar, have been protecting habitats on the island for more than 15 years.