Bachelor predator was shipped from US to UK. He’s already a father of four pups
In May, a rare predator undertook an incredible journey to try and help save his species.
Seven-year-old male Malagasy fossa Zaza left the sunny days of San Diego, California, and traveled more than 5,000 miles to Chester Zoo in England to meet female Shala.
The two animals were slowly introduced, McClatchy News previously reported, and just six months later, the zoo announced Zaza and Shala’s rendezvous was successful.
Four fossa pups were born July 8, completely blind and weighing about the same as a small apple, Chester Zoo said in an Oct. 9 news release.
The pups are now exploring outside their dens for the first time at about 12 weeks old, the zoo said.
“A recent vet check revealed two males and two females, all healthy. Our team will soon start drawing up a list of names as their personalities emerge — a couple are bold and brave, while the others are more cautious and like to stay close to mum,” the zoo said.
The pups are the first-of-their-kind to be born in the United Kingdom this year, and only the third litter born in all of Europe in 2025, Chester Zoo said.
“These births are incredibly special. Not only are they the only pups in the U.K. and vital additions to a European breeding programme, but they also give us a unique opportunity to learn more about their biology, behaviours and social dynamics,” Mark Brayshaw, head of mammals at Chester Zoo, said in the release. “That insight helps us build a more complete picture of the species, which is then used to inform conservation efforts in the wild.”
Fossa are described as “slender” and “cat-like” predatory mammals that live on Madagascar off the east coast of Africa.
Fossa are listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature with fewer than 2,500 estimated living in the wild. The species faces significant threats from deforestation on their island home, according to the zoo.
Malagasy fossa are most closely related to mongoose and civets, with short and thick fur ranging in color from brown to almost golden with a lighter belly, according to the San Diego Zoo.
Their tails make up nearly half their total body length, and they make both chirping and purring sounds, the San Diego Zoo says.
The fossa, pronounced “foo-sa” by locals, are the center of countless myths and legends on Madagascar, ranging from the tale that scents from the animals kill chickens to the fossa creeping into homes and stealing babies.
Chester Zoo is in Chester, England, just south of Liverpool on England’s west side.
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Bachelor predator was shipped from US to UK. He’s already a father of four pups."
