A zoo has put all of its mammals on birth control amid fears of overcrowding following an outbreak of TB.

Paignton Zoo was forced to cull 11 antelopes last year after TB was discovered in one of the animals.

Now Government restrictions imposed on the Devonshire sanctuary prevent it from moving any of its mammals until the end of the year at the earliest.

As a result it is taking drastic steps to stop the animals mating due to a lack of space.

It says the repercussions could have worldwide consequences for the conservation of rare species.

Paignton Zoo’s Head of Veterinary Services Ghislaine Sayers said: “Contraception is a complicated subject. It is vitally important to large parts of our collection right now. We must prevent overcrowding but we must still be in a position to take part in breeding programmes when the restrictions are lifted. So we need temporary solutions.