Chester Zoo home to record number of animals following 'successful breeding year'

Chester Zoo’s annual animal headcount has revealed it is now home to more animals than ever before.

Figures released by the zoo have shown that 35,139 animals, from more than 500 of the world's rarest species, live there.

The number is the highest recorded at the zoo since it opened its gates more than 88 years ago - with 1,571 mammals, 1,759 birds, 339 reptiles, 677 amphibians, 6,739 fish and 24,054 insects all living at the zoo.

The zoo have said that they have had a successful breeding year of threatened animals, including the "critically" endangered West African Chimpanzee.

The count has taken a number of weeks and the smallest inhabitants, such as ants and bees, were counted as single colonies rather than as individuals.

Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plant Collections at Chester Zoo, said: "For the first time, the zoo is home to more than 35,000 individual animals – more than we’ve ever cared for before.

"A host of vital births, along with some brand new species coming to the zoo over the course of last year have contributed to these record numbers."

Required as part of the wildlife charity’s operating licence, the data gathered during the count will help to form future plans for international breeding programmes for the world’s most endangered species.

Liz Ball, Records Coordinator, is responsible for compiling information on every animal at the zoo.

She added: "Each and every animal, with the exception of our ant and bee colonies, has its individual information stored on a ‘passport’ which helps form the basis of carefully co-ordinated breeding programmes involving good zoos all around the globe.

"This passport shows vital data about the individual’s species, gender, where it was born and its family tree.

"All of this key information is then used to successfully pair up highly threatened animals to ensure a perfect genetic match and help boost numbers."