Chester Zoo fire: £120,000 raised by public to be spent on conservation

Endangered orangutans were among the mammals saved from the fire. Credit: Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has confirmed that the money pledged by well-wishers after a "devastating" fire over the weekend will be spent on conservation.

Although mammals and larger birds were saved from the blaze, "heartbroken" staff confirmed that a number of frogs, fish, insects and small birds died.

The zoo described it as "one of the toughest days in our long history".

Thousands of people have donated to support the zoo. Credit: JustGiving