Chester Zoo has brought a new rare big cat into town, and she’s one good-looking feline.
The tourist attraction near Greater Manchester introduced the world to Inka, a two-year-old black jaguar, over the weekend.
She’s been brought to the zoo to be a companion for Chester Zoo‘s resident male, Napo.
Videos shared by the zoo show Inka exploring her new habitat with her jaw dropped – not a cat body language expert but she looks pretty stunned by her new home.
The gorgeous animal still has those signature jaguar markings, but she’s in shades of black and grey rather than the classic browns and oranges.
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It’s not just us falling in love with Inka either – Chester Zoo themselves described her as a ‘strikingly beautiful, bold and confident’ young jaguar. Which zookeeper’s been copying my Tinder bio?!
But then the zoo went on to say she has ‘short and thick set limbs’, which isn’t so complimentary.
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Fans have been delighted to see Inka making herself at home at the zoo, with hundreds of comments calling her ‘stunning’, ‘beautiful’ and ‘gorgeous’.
One person wrote: “She is beautiful! I follow the big cat sanctuary and love seeing her there, looking forward to seeing plenty of pics of her at Chester.”
Another said: “Stunningly gorgeous, what a beautiful addition to a brilliant zoo. So lucky to have Chester zoo on our doorstep.”
Carnivore experts at the zoo say her arrival will help to put a spotlight on her ‘remarkable’ species and support a European-wide conservation programme.
Jaguars are native to the Americas and listed as ‘near threatened’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Their numbers are declining in the wild, mostly because of humans – habitat loss, illegal hunting and conflict with humans are putting them at risk of extinction.
Dave Hall, team manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo, said: “Inka is a strikingly beautiful, bold and confident young jaguar and she’s quickly taken to her new surroundings.
“The union between her and Napo, the resident male here in Chester, has been carefully orchestrated by carnivore experts from here (Chester Zoo) and The Big Cat Sanctuary and the coordinators of a programme that’s working in partnership to ensure a genetically viable population of jaguars across Europe.
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Inka, a rare black jaguar, has arrived at Chester Zoo. Credit: SuppliedChester Zoo’s resident male jaguar Napo, who will be Inka’s companion. Credit: SuppliedInka inspecting her new home at Chester Zoo. Credit: Supplied
“We hope the two of them will go to form a strong and meaningful bond, and the early signs are positive.
“Like Napo, Inka is a wonderful ambassador for her species. Jaguars are remarkable animals and the two of them together will help us to raise more much-needed awareness of the survival challenges that they face in the wild, the work that’s already being done by zoos, our partners and the local conservationists and communities to protect the ecosystems that jaguars live in, and help us to inspire further action for their conservation.”
Paul Bamford, regional field programmes manager for the Americas at Chester Zoo, added: “Deforestation and habitat fragmentation are reducing jaguar populations across their range. According to the IUCN, close to 70% of deforestation in Latin America is driven by industrial agriculture, primarily for soy, oil palm and cattle production.
“Many of these products are exported to countries such as the UK, and therefore, our shopping habits can have a significant impact on global biodiversity loss. In our role as consumers, we are unwittingly contributing to the destruction of nature on our planet.
“At Chester Zoo we are working to influence policy, both in the UK and internationally, to address this. We are supporting efforts to improve production standards and legislation so that deforestation is minimised, or eliminated for good, and wildlife can live safely alongside productive areas.
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“The goal is to create a deforestation-free economy, in which countries are able to meet their development needs sustainably. If we can break the link between habitat loss and production, then we have the opportunity secure a future for people and wildlife.”
First look at Heaton Hall’s ‘glittering’ restoration as it prepares to reopen to public
Emily Sergeant
Some new images have been released showing the inside of the historic Heaton Hall as it prepares to reopen to the public after its extensive restoration.
The impressive Grade I-listed property – also known as the jewel of Heaton Park – has been closed to visitors since summer 2025 for ongoing refurbishment to protect it from further deterioration, improve safety, and safeguard the building for future generations.
On top of that, the Orangery building – which is also set to reopen – has been closed since 2012.
The heritage-led programme, undertaken by MC Construction Limited, has followed best practice guidance from Heritage England.
Heaton Hall is undergoing a ‘glittering’ restoration programme / Credit: Manchester City Council
To respect the heritage interior, all rewiring, cabling, and other electrical services like improved Wi-Fi and data infrastructure – all of which forms a significant part of the restoration process to ‘future proof’ the building – have been discreetly routed through existing voids and behind skirtings to avoid visible surface wiring, wherever possible.
The chandeliers have also been returned to their glittering best following intensive works to ‘refurbish and refresh’ the ornate features as part of the major rewiring programme.
As part of the long-term investment into the estate, Manchester City Council also announced ‘significant’ works to the Orangery, with a vision is to bring the building back into use as a high-quality events and dining venue after being vacant for more than a decade.
The Grade I-listed Heaton Hall is the jewel of Heaton Park / Credit: Supplied
“Heaton Hall is the jewel in the crown of Manchester’s heritage buildings,” commented Cllr Basat Sheikh, who is Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.
“The Council take its role as custodians of the property seriously and for some years a long-term programme of investment has been underway to protect the building and make sure it is safeguarded and future proofed so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.
“We know how important this building is to many of our residents and we can’t wait to welcome people back inside.”
Following the rewiring works, Heaton Hall will be prepared to welcome back visitors later this year with tours organised by the Friends of Heaton Hall.
The expert volunteers will take small groups through the property, providing visitors with fascinating historical insights about the hall and the various collections within the property.
More information about the tours will be made available in the coming months.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Travel & Tourism
Even more of the Gay Village will be turned into outdoor seating this summer
Daisy Jackson
The Gay Village is set to get even more outdoor seating this summer, with the council moving to partially close several key streets to traffic.
The news lands mid-heatwave when thousands of Mancs are clamouring for a seat in the nearest beer garden or cafe terrace – with a huge proportion of those flocking to Canal Street.
Now, plans have been revealed to bring ‘a touch of cafe culture’ to the Gay Village, with even more outdoor seating space created for businesses in the area.
Initially running as a trial this summer, it will mean new terraces for New York New York, The Goose and The Eagle on Bloom Street, plus more locations on Richmond Street.
Manchester City Council has said that similar schemes on Thomas Street and Stevenson Square have been hugely popular with both punters and businesses, especially during the summer months, and can give local operators a huge boost.
So now it’s time for this thriving corner of the city to get the same treatment, as part of the ongoing work through the Gay Village Action Plan identified the need for more outdoor seating areas.
The two locations which will have the changes will be Bloom Street, between Abingdon Street and Chorlton Street; and Richmond Street, between Sackville Street and Chorlton Street.
In order to put these protected spaces into effect, some changes to the existing road network will be made:
Bloom Street becomes one-way from Chorlton Street towards Princess Street
Richmond Street is closed to through traffic between Chorlton Street and Sackville Street.
The scheme will initially run on a trial basis from 10 July throughout the summer to evaluate if it could be a viable long-term solution.
During this, plans will also be in place to ensure that deliveries and loading can go about unhindered, as well as daily waste collection and access for residents.
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “The Gay Village is one of our most precious communities. For decades the queer community has been able to call this neighbourhood its own, establishing a long and proud place in the history of the fight against bigotry and discrimination.
“Needless to say, it’s one of the most-visited places in Manchester and sees thousands of people tread its cobbled streets every year. Because of that we’re always looking at how we, as its custodians, can continue to support its legacy and ensure that it meets the needs of people who live and work there.
“We’re excited to be trialling additional outdoor seating for these streets, and we hope to bring the same success that we’ve seen in the Northern Quarter after putting similar schemes in place.
“But, above all this has to work for everyone, so I would urge people to take part in this consultation and help shape the future of the Gay Village.”
Daisy Jackson -
6th August 2023 
