Visitors over the last few months may have discovered building work taking place over at SOS2, our smaller nature centre across the road from our main site. This building work was recently completed ready for our mob of mischievous Meerkats to relocate to their new home.
Last week, the Meerkats enjoyed a last morning in their original Meerkat Kastle, with a Home Education group visiting them to learn more about habitats and why enrichment is so important to captive animals. The mob had some tasty treats hidden in some of the papier mache creations, decorated by our regular Home Ed families, before relaxing in the warm sunshine.
In the afternoon, Keepers Beckie, Jennie and Nick took on the task of catching up all ten to transport them the short distance to their new home. They were confined into their indoor area, with Beckie distracting them with food while Nick swiftly got hold of them and placed them into their secure transport box, with Jennie in charge of door security!
On the move!
With all Meerkats safely in their transport box, the team wheeled it over to SOS2 and placed it into their new enclosure. They had already transferred some of the sand from their old enclosure into the new one, to make them feel more comfortable with familiar smells, so once the box was opened, it didn’t take the Meerkats long to come out and explore!
They spent the first hour fully investigating their new home, which has tunnels to replicate burrows, rock piles and live grass plants. Within a few minutes, they discovered a large ants nest under one of the grasses, so this was quickly dug up in search of tasty natural food, much to the Keepers disappointment!
Exploring their new home, with rock piles and plants!
They also investigated the indoor area of their home, which is inside the new Kastle tower. This is linked to the second tower by a tunnel, and the Meerkats have discovered that this is a great vantage point to adopt for their look out duties.
The best look-out post?
The Meerkats were slightly concerned by being able to see birds, particularly when our pair of Golden Eagles started flying around their aviary at feeding time! However, they soon realised that the Eagles couldn’t get to them, and settled in really quickly.
Over the coming days and weeks we will continue to monitor their behaviour, and that of our birds, to ensure that this move doesn't cause any unnecessary stress. In fact, our flying team have already been over to investigate the new furry critters which have appeared!
The new Meerkat enclosure has four large windows which will allow close up views for visitors in pushchairs, wheelchairs, or just those who haven’t grown up yet. There is also an indoor encounter area which is fully wheelchair accessible, so that our Meerkat encounters are accessible for all.
Visitors can get face to face with our mischievous mob.