Chester zoo has said it is “totally overwhelmed” after more than £120,000 was raised in donations following a devastating fire that killed rare species of birds and fish.

Members of the public helped more than double the zoo’s £60,000 target 48 hours after flames engulfed the £40m indoor forest.

Zookeepers have revealed how six orangutans, four gibbons and 18 macaques were saved by being tempted away from the fire with bananas.

Some orangutans were seen wrapped in “comfort blankets” after being led from danger when the monsoon forest went up in flames on Saturday morning.

On Sunday the zoo said all mammals had survived but that some rare frogs, birds, fish and insects had perished.

As the fundraising effort topped £120,000 on Monday, the zoo wrote: “We’re totally overwhelmed by the love and concern from everyone wanting to help in any way they can.

“With such a huge number of you asking what you can do to support, we’ve set up this page so anyone who wants to donate has the opportunity to do so. All the incredible supporters who’ve given are providing us with a fund which will help us continue with our mission to prevent extinction.

“Thank you so much for your kindness. Our teams have been working around the clock and knowing how much support there is behind them has made this awful time a little easier to bear.”

Zookeepers said reptiles including extremely rare sunda gharial crocodiles, whose population number in the wild is not known, were not harmed in the blaze as they live on the other side of the building.

“The sundas spent all their time underwater when it happened,” Mike Jordan, the the animal and plant director at Chester Zoo.

At its height about 75 firefighters were battling the blaze, which caused significant damage to the entrance area and first floor visitors walkway. Armed police were called in case any of the animals posed a threat to the public.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched but it is not believed to have been started deliberately. Chester zoo said it was cooperating with the inquiry.