AssetID: 54808752
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Rare Bat-Eared Foxes Arrive At British Zoo For The First Time In 30 Years
Caption: Chester Zoo is celebrating the arrival of two female bat-eared foxes - the first of their kind to be seen at the zoo in over three decades. The sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, made the 500-mile journey from a zoo in Paris, France, and are now settling into their new home in the zoo’s Heart of Africa - the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres. These small, insectivorous foxes are native to the savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. Their most striking feature - oversized ears - gives them their name and plays a crucial role in detecting prey underground, including the faint sound of termites chewing. Bat-eared foxes face growing threats in the wild, primarily due to habitat destruction from agriculture, urban expansion, and hunting. Conservationists at Chester Zoo hope the arrival of Maasai and Malindi will contribute to the preservation of the species. In the future, one of the sisters is expected to be introduced to a male as part of a European conservation breeding programme aimed at building a strong, genetically diverse population in human care. David White, Team Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after 30 years. They’re a fantastic addition to our new *Heart of Africa* habitat and are truly fascinating animals with some amazing adaptations. “Their large ears aren’t just distinctive - they function like satellite dishes, allowing the foxes to detect even the slightest movement underground. They can even hear termites chewing beneath the surface! “So far, both Maasai and Malindi are doing well and have been busy exploring their new surroundings, which they share with a group of 12 Cape porcupines. In the wild, these two species often cross paths, so we’ve recreated that natural dynamic here.” Chester Zoo has a long-standing commitment to protecting African wildlife. The zoo supports conservation work across national parks in Kenya and Uganda, helping safeguard species such as the northern giraffe, mountain bongo, Eastern black rhino, and giant pangolin. Their efforts include everything from AI-powered trail cameras to advanced reproductive science, as well as cultural initiatives like the Maasai Olympics - a sporting event that’s helped lion populations increase tenfold by replacing traditional hunting with competition. By protecting these landscapes and flagship species, Chester Zoo is also helping lesser-known animals like the bat-eared fox - ensuring they too have a chance to thrive.
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