Meerkat triplets born at British safari park for the first time in almost a decade
The tiny triplets, roughly the same size as a toy matchbox car, were born last month
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three adorable meerkats have been born at a British safari park for the first time in almost a decade.
The tiny triplets, which emerged the same size as a toy matchbox car, were born last month.
Keepers at West Midlands Safari Park only realised they had new arrivals when they heard faint squeaking coming from the adults’ nesting box.
The meerkats are the first to be born at the park since 2013.
Proud parents Heather and Monty are receiving help in raising their offspring by another female meerkat called Peony.
Head of Wildlife Angela Potter said: “We are all really pleased with the birth of these three meerkat pups, the first we have had here since 2013.
“It is a really good news story for dad, Monty, who is quite an old boy at 13 years of age.
“He has been part of a bachelor group for all of his life, but with the introduction of the two new females who joined the collection earlier this year from Woburn Safari Park, we were able to give him the chance to become a first-time dad.”
“He has taken to the new role very successfully and it is great to see him interacting and looking after his new family.
“Heather is doing a fantastic job, but her close friend Peony is also very attentive and helping to care for the pups.
“This cooperative approach to rearing the young is a hugely successful strategy for meerkats in the wild, to ensure the survival of the little ones in a harsh desert environment.”
Baby meerkats only weigh around 25 grams when they are born. Now at 20 days old, the meerkats have opened their eyes and can hear sounds.
They will receive a health check in the next few weeks where vets will also determine their sexes.
Following this, keepers will choose names for the pups, beginning with ‘K’, as all babies born at the Park during 2022, will have names starting with this letter.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments