The zoo re-opened on Christmas Eve after a fire killed five meerkats and an aardvark.

Picture the scene of a fire brought under control at London Zoo. Pic: LFB
Image: The scene of a fire brought under control at London Zoo before Christmas. Pic: London Fire Brigade

The manager of London Zoo says the cause of a fire is still unknown six weeks after five meerkats and an aardvark were killed.

The fire on 23 December started in the Animal Adventure area at 6am, leaving staff injured and closing the zoo.

Some 70 firefighters from four stations tackled the flames which left nine-year Misha the aardvark dead along with five meerkats.

The delayed stocktake starts at London Zoo
Image: The delayed stock take starts at London Zoo

London Ambulance said eight people were treated at the scene - six for smoke inhalation and two for minor injuries.

Mark Haben, zoological manager at Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said the fire had brought staff together and described it as being "very upsetting".

He said: "A couple of months in, it's still early days for us and we don't know the cause of the fire, so it's early days for us to speculate and there's still an ongoing investigation."

The keepers will use equipment ranging from abacus to cameras
Image: The keepers will use equipment ranging from abacuses to cameras

He was speaking with the upcoming breeding season starting, with more than 19,000 animals being counted for their inventory.

More than 750 species will be counted during the week-long stocktake including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.

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    Mr Haben added: "The whole zoo has pulled together, the society pulled together and we're really gearing up for a successful 2018."

    The zoo brought in 1.2 million visitors in 2016 and the arrival of a baby Okapi - similar to a giraffe - named after Meghan Markle will try to boost numbers further.