Love is in the Air for our Meerkat Mob

Romance has arrived in miniature form as one of our male meerkats, Louie and his new companions, were treated to a heart-warming surprise, with adorable heart-shaped boxes filled with tasty treats.

The enrichment was created especially for two-year-old male Louie, who has recently been introduced to two new female meerkats, mother and daughter Indigo (five) and Lilac (two), who arrived at the Park in December. 

The trio were successfully introduced in January and keepers are delighted with how well the group has bonded, with the special Valentine-themed enrichment encouraging natural behaviours, curiosity and positive social interaction.

Head Keeper of the Discovery Trail, Amy Sewell said, "Successful introductions are a vital part of responsible zoo and conservation breeding programmes. Louie, our two-year-old male meerkat who was born here at the Park to his mother Peony, has been carefully introduced to Indigo, aged five, and her daughter Lilac, aged two, who arrived last year. The group were successfully mixed at the start of the year, we are pleased with how positively the trio are interacting. While breeding can never be guaranteed, we are hopeful that this pairing could lead to future pups, which would be a valuable contribution to the managed population of the species."

With tiny paws exploring heart-shaped treats and a hopeful future ahead, it’s a love story that’s only just beginning!