Staff members console each other after the fire destroyed a number of buildings at London Zoo. Photo: GettyAn aardvark was killed and four meerkats are missing believed dead after a blaze tore through part of London Zoo early on Saturday, destroying a cafe and gift shop. The fire broke out shortly after 6am (local time) at the zoo's Animal Adventure section before spreading to the shop and cafe, near to an area where visitors can handle and feed animals, the zoo and London Fire Brigade said. Other animals nearby are being monitored by vets, but the zoo said indications were that they were unaffected. It is the world's oldest scientific zoo, dating from 1826, and houses 20,166 animals, according to its inventory for 2017.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 23, 2017 18:33 UTC