STAFF at a city centre law firm have shown their support for Chester Zoo by adopting 15 different animal species – including elephants, orangutans and giraffes.

Each specialist department at Grosvenor Court-based Aaron & Partners chose an animal species to support with employees personally contributing to their adoption.

The Two-toed sloth, Giant anteater, aardvark and okapi were also among the animals that have been adopted.

Chester Zoo reopened its doors earlier this month to operate on a reduced capacity after losing an estimated £5m in revenue due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Natalie Antenbring-Unwin, from Aaron & Partners’ social committee, said: "When we heard about the challenges Chester Zoo was facing we felt it was only right to do what we could to support this fantastic conservation charity.

"The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the business community in Chester and we know how important it is to provide support during this period.

"All of our employees got behind the idea and enjoyed taking the time to research their adopted animals with many having unique reasons behind their selections.

"Our family law department is supporting Bornean orangutans, and the zoo’s Rothschild’s giraffes and bongos have been adopted by our wills and real estate teams respectively.

"Almost all of the animals we've adopted, such as the pudus and jaguars adopted by our business support teams, are under threat in the wild and so it's brilliant to know we're playing a part in helping them.

"Seeing Chester Zoo reopen to the public is a real boost for everyone in the area, and as supporters of a number of the city's attractions, including Storyhouse, we can't wait to see more people back and enjoying everything Chester has to offer as lockdown restrictions ease."