LONDON Zoo has welcomed six new baby Philippine crocodiles – the first to be bred in the UK.

The rare reptiles, which weighed just 37 grams each when they hatched in June, have been named Jolo, Luzon, Mindoro, Samar, Sulo and Mindanao, after the islands that they would inhabit in the wild. It is currently unknown whether they are male or female.

The breed is classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, so the births were considered a great cause for celebration in the zoo community. The animals are hunted in the wild and their habitat is being destroyed.

Born to parents that were hatched in a conservation centre in the Philippines, the mother and father were specially matched to be as genetically-diverse as possible.

The youngsters, which currently measure just 24cm in length, will grow up to be a huge three metres.

Deputy Head of the zoo’s reptile house, Iri Gill, said: “Not only are these crocodiles the first of their kind to ever be bred in a UK zoo, but they are also a fantastic addition to the European breeding programme – and we can now use our experience to help other zoos breed these critically endangered animals.”