Numbers in the Meerkat Mob increase again at Colchester Zoo - Simples!

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Colchester Zoo's female meerkat Pippa has successfully given birth to her eighth litter on the 5th September 2011. Pippa who arrived at Colchester Zoo in 2009 has successfully reared seven litters previously with male meerkat Robbie and the three pups in this litter are all doing well.

The pups are growing strong and healthy and are currently being cared for by Pippa inside the house at their enclosure Suricata Sands. “Pippa is once again proving to be an excellent mother and we are excited about our continually growing mob of Meerkats” said Colchester Zoo’s Curator Sarah Forsyth. As their eyes are almost fully open now they are becoming more adventurous and keepers have spotted them outside with Pippa in the last few days. The pups may still not be easily visible all of the time, but visitors may well be able to catch sight of the new borns within time once they start to venture out more and live up to their mischievous and playful personalities.

Meerkats are highly sociable, and often live in groups of up to 50 members with one dominant pair. Meerkats are listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List, with a widespread distribution throughout Southern Africa and no major threats recorded for the species. However with the expansion of the Kalahari desert due to desertification could change this in the near future so Colchester Zoo is delighted with the arrival of these pups.




EssexTouristGuide.com 28th September 2011

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