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German police have questioned several suspects after a zoo fire in the western city of Krefeld killed more than 30 animals, including rare apes and monkeys.
There are suspicions that flying New Year’s Eve lanterns – illegal in Germany – may have sparked the blaze.
It gutted the zoo’s tropical ape house.
Rare Bornean orangutans, chimpanzees and marmosets lived in the 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) enclosure. Two chimps and a family of gorillas survived.
The survivors were in a neighbouring Gorilla Garden, and firefighters managed to prevent the flames spreading from the ape house.
However, the zoo is mourning the loss of Massa, a 45-year-old western lowland gorilla, and his female partner, who were living in the ape house. Massa was one of the oldest captive gorillas in Europe.
German media say flying “Chinese” lanterns – which have a candle burning inside – were seen in the area shortly before the fire broke out on New Year’s Eve. Three used lanterns were found by police investigators near the gutted ape house.
It is not yet clear who the suspects are. They could be charged with arson through negligence, and police are now studying their statements.
Firefighters saved two chimpanzees – Bally and Limbo – in the ape house. The zoo says they have light injuries and are now in the Gorilla Garden.
A seven-strong family of western lowland gorillas survived in the neighbouring enclosure. They are the family of male “silverback” Kidogo, and the youngest, Boboto, is just one year old.
Five orangutans died, along with a chimpanzee and many monkeys. The ape house – replicating a rainforest habitat – was also home to birds and fruit bats. It was built in 1975.
The zoo thanked people for their “overwhelming wave of compassion”. It remained closed on Thursday. A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles and mourning placards has been set up at the zoo’s entrance.
It is the most devastating zoo fire in Germany in recent years. In November 2010, a fire at a zoo in Karlsruhe killed 26 animals including alpacas, miniature donkeys and Shetland ponies.
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