The story centers around a London zoo which has been recently acquired by Kiwi businessman Rod McCain (played by Kevin Kline) and put under the charge of Rollo Lee (Cleese). In order to boost profits, Lee decides to institute a 'fierce animals' policy; only deadly creatures will be featured in the zoo.
Of course, chaos ensues as the zoo keepers (including Michael Palin as the insect keeper) protest the impending loss of their loved, if not man eating, animal friends. Meanwhile, Willa Weston (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Vince McCain (Kline in his second role of the film) arrive at the zoo as observers for McCain's company, both having their own agenda.