Zoo staff are working to account for all species after fire destroyed much of the vast plastic roof covering Chester Zoo’s Monsoon Forest area.
However attempting to trace all the animals, which includes birds, will take “some time”, they add.
Eyewitnesses described how visitors to the attraction – billed as the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the UK – were rushed to safety as the blaze spread rapidly through the polymer roofing material.
Orangutans, gibbons, crocodiles, turtles and exotic birds are among the species housed in the Monsoon Forest, which recreates a tropical south east Asian environment.
The fire was declared a major incident by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The zoo said in a statement: “Critically endangered Sumatran orangutans and other mammals are accounted for and being looked after by the zoo’s specialist conservationists and vets.
“We are working hard to account for all other species, such as birds, and move animals to alternative habitats.
“Given that this is the UK’s largest zoological tropical house, it will take some time.
“We will be working intensively in the coming days and weeks to do this.”
One eyewitness, David Clough, 50, who lives across the road from the zoo, said high winds fanned the flames in the roof of the building.
He added: “We were very worried for the people and animals that would have been in the building.”
He added: “Orangutans and gibbons are our nearest neighbours there, but there are many other animals, including free-flying birds.
“It was spreading across the roof in strong winds for a while.”
The zoo’s statement added: “Visitors were evacuated and the zoo’s response team worked alongside the emergency services to help bring the situation under control.”
We can confirm fire services are attending a fire at our Monsoon Forest habitat
Visitors were evacuated. The zoo’s team worked with emergency services to bring the situation under control
We are assessing the area and will update with info as we have it
The zoo remains closed
— Chester Zoo (@chesterzoo) December 15, 2018
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze using water jets.
A visitor, who declined to be named, told the Press Association: “We were in the monsoon enclosure when it happened and were rushed out due to an electrical fire. It spread very quickly.
“The entire zoo is closed – a shame as we’ve travelled up from Plymouth.”
Chester Zoo fire update. pic.twitter.com/N6DiQk707s
— Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (@CheshireFire) December 15, 2018
Although the fire has been extinguished firefighters will remain at the scene to dampen it down, a statement from the fire service said.
