Fossa

Little Rock Zoo is home to one male fossa: Copper.

• Pound-for-pound, the fossa is one of the most formidable hunters on the planet.
• It is acrobatic, agile and relentless in its pursuit of lemurs. They possess a set of long, lean forearms that are coupled with some truly gnarly claws and a fearsome set of teeth.
• A relative of the mongoose, the fossa is unique to the forests of Madagascar, an African island in the Indian Ocean. 
• Growing up to 6 feet long from nose to tail tip, and weighing up to 26 pounds, the fossa is a slender-bodied catlike creature with little resemblance to its mongoose cousins.

Fossas face significant conservation challenges due to habitat loss, deforestation, and hunting throughout their range on the island of Madagascar. Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and human settlements has led to the fragmentation and degradation of their natural habitats, making it increasingly difficult for fossas to find suitable food and shelter. Additionally, fossas are often targeted by humans due to conflicts arising from predation on livestock and perceived threats to poultry. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting fossas include habitat preservation, reforestation initiatives, and community education and engagement. The Little Rock Zoo supports these conservation initiatives by raising awareness about fossa conservation challenges and actively participating in programs that contribute to their protection and survival in their natural habitat. Please join our efforts to secure a future for this species by donating to our conservation fund.