The Three Meerkateers

These 3 adorable baby Meerkats known as pups have made their debut appearance after spending their first few weeks underground at Woodlands Family Theme Park near Dartmouth, Devon.

The Keepers at the Zoo-Farm first discovered the pups when they went in to feed Dad, Rogan & Mum, Gibby and heard lots of little squeaks coming from one of the tunnels. Head Keeper Elliott Hamilton, said “the noises they make are very funny, they sound like they are laughing”.

“It wasn’t until Mum & Dad brought the pups out that we saw that there were 3 beautiful babies”. Being too young to sex, Elliott nicknamed them ‘The 3 Meerkateers’. “It really suits the 3 pups, they definitely are ‘all for one and one for all’. They are constantly looking out for each other and becoming very adventurous exploring their new home. We even gave them their own Muskateer’s hat to play with which was great fun to watch”.

It is very exciting news for the park as it is the first litter for Rogan & Gibby who are just reaching 2 years old. “Gibby came from Shaldon Wildlife Trust and Rogan was a donation from a private collection”, Elliott explained. “They came to the park about a year ago and we have worked very hard to create the right environment for the Meerkats and the birth of the 3 pups has demonstrated we have got it right”, Elliott continued.

“They love exploring their new surroundings and with the sun shining the little ones took their first step outside peaking out of one of the tunnels dug by Mum and Dad. Meerkats are fantastic diggers, they are able to dig their own body weight in seconds and Rogan & Gibby have created a fantastic home for their offspring”.

“The 3 pups at only 10cm tall are still being nursed by Mum but have started to eat mealworms, fruit and one even tried a locust but seemed to have more fun carrying it around. Once we know what sex they are we will be running a competition to name the adorable babies”.

Both Mum, Dad and all 3 pups are doing really well and they can all be seen at the Zoo-Farm.