Halloween - it's simples! Meerkats play trick or treat by putting their heads into pumpkins

By Emma Reynolds


Hollow smile: A meerkat sticks his head into a pumpkin to reach the treats inside


These meerkats appear to be getting into the spirit of Halloween by sticking their heads into hollowed-out pumpkins.

Staff at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Ashford, Kent, tempted the cuddly creatures into a game of trick or treat by filling the pumpkins with cockroaches and crickets.

One of the animals appears to give a friend a leg up to reach the prize, while others band together to get at the snacks hanging from a string just above their heads.

Spooky costume: The furry animal looks like it is dressed up for Halloween as it stretches to get a snack

Leg up: One meerkat cleverly uses another to get to the dangling pumpkin

Adrian Harland, animal director at Port Lympne, said: 'We filled mini pumpkins with crickets and suspended them over the open-topped enclosure.

'The meerkat clan were all highly curious and couldn't resist the unusual objects.

'Some decided to attack the pumpkins but one was highly ingenious and stuck its head right inside the pumpkin to eat all the goodies before the rest of the clan could get to it.'

This meerkat can be seen clinging on to the swinging pumpkin as it scrambles to eat all the goodies inside.

The zoo's gorillas also got the chance to eat dinner from pumpkins, which were filled with their favourite seeds and nuts before being put into their enclosure.

Hocus pocus: Three of the inquisitive creatures try to get to grips with the mysterious hanging object

Double trouble: Two friends battle to get a taste of the creepy-crawly treats inside

I dare you: One meerkat looks on as its friend gets inside the pumpkin


A gorilla named Ambam - the most popular with park visitors because he walks like a human - took his away to have it all to himself.

'The family group and the silverbacks got stuck into the pumpkins straight away,' said Mr Harland.

'Ambam decided to rip his in half and walk off to a space by himself so that he would not get disturbed as he ate.'

The animal director added: 'It is important to provide enrichment for our animals.

'This helps keep them interested and offers new challenges for them.

'The pumpkins were perfect because the animals had to work out how to retrieve the treats inside.'

There are no reports at this time of plans to provide the animals with toffee apples.



source:dailymail

The real-life Lion King: Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the micro pig form unlikeliest of friendships

By Jessica Satherley


Best of friends: The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters in The Lion King

It could be straight out of Disney's classic The Lion King - but this adorable couple are the real-life Timon and Pumbaa.

The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters - have struck up the most unlikely of friendships.

Having been born within weeks of each other in Worcestershire, the black micro pig and fuzzy haired meerkat became best pals after seeing each other through a chicken wire fence dividing their pens.

Give me a kiss: Timon and Pumbaa play around with each other after becoming close pals at Tropical Inc, an education animal display company based in Dunhampton, Worcestershire

After a hesitant first meeting the hairy hombres hit it off and couldn't be separated.

And workers at Tropical Inc, an education animal display company based in Dunhampton, Worcestershire, immediately noticed a more than striking resemblance to the famous characters

Kelly Shambly, 24, an animal career at Tropical Inc, said: 'They are just like their namesakes - they have a real care free philosophy.

'They are both newborns and haven't settled into their roles within the litter yet so they are just running around enjoying themselves much like the mantra of the film.

'They showed great interest in each other from the start, almost like they were meant to be friends.

'At the time they still hadn't been named, but we soon realised we couldn't call them anything else once somebody pointed out they were just like the pair from the film.'

Miniature rascals: Kelly Shambly, 24, an animal career at Tropical Inc poses with Timon and Pumbaa

In an incredible real-life parallel to the cartoon characters, Timon is an outgoing and self-absorbed meerkat.

Kelly added: 'There was a little chicken wire fence between them and Timon was desperately trying to find a way through to get to Pumbaa.

'He is really outgoing and always looking to explore the world. He's interested in anything new, and having a big pig next to him was obviously an exciting thing.

'Pumbaa is definitely more reserved and slopes about the place in an unenthusiastic manner much like pigs often do.

'All they do each day is playfully run around. They are very cute together.


The original Timon (left) and Pumbaa (right): Pictured in the 1994 film The Lion King


'It is an extremely odd friendship, but it is great to see two animals paired together who would never get the chance to ever meet in the wild.'

Kelly, who helps run Tropical Inc, has been helping rear the young pair ever since their births around nine weeks ago.

She added: 'We take the animals to people who would not normally get the chance to get so close to different and exotic animals.

'We've put on parties for all ages - from toddlers to 70-year-old's birthday parties, but everyone loves Timon and Pumbaa equally.

'There hasn't been a time when someone hasn't mentioned the resemblance of them to the characters.'


source:dailymail

They're meerly friends: The unrequited love of one meerkat for his cuddly toy companion

By HUGO GYE

Spot the difference: The Chessington meerkats have had to become used to their cuddly-toy visitors

This meerkat may think that he's found true love at last.

But his passion is likely to go unrequited - because he has fallen for a cuddly toy.

The toy is one of many thrown into the meerkat enclosure at a theme park by excitable children who have bought them from the gift shop.

The humorous encounter was snapped at Chessington World of Adventures, the large zoo and theme park in Surrey.


I see you: This meerkat catches sight of an impostor in the enclosure


Zoo keepers say the toy meerkats end up accidentally dropped in the enclosure at least four times a week.

Manager Marc Boardman said: 'We sell a number of cuddly toy animals at our gift shops, including meerkats.

'And it seems children are taking them straight back to the enclosure to show them to the real thing.


How d'you do? He finds his neighbourly advances rebuffed by the new arrival

'Unfortunately, in their excitement, they sometimes accidentally drop them in. And our keepers are retrieving them at the rate of around one every 48 hours.

'Some of our resident meerkats are rather wary of the intruding impostors. However, others seem to be growing quite fond of their furry lookalike friends.'

Keepers have even reported finding a toy meerkat in one of the burrows, after a real-life animal took a shine to it.


Was it something I said? The frustrated meerkat seems to have taken against the new arrival


source: dailymail

Seem-pals! The terrier who is best friends with a meerkat

By Daily Mail Reporter


Stand-up guy: Timon the meerkat with his new best friend Poppy


To Poppy the terrier, Timon the meerkat is much more than a mere cat.

The playful pair, who live with owners John Bent and wife Sally in Dronfield, Derbyshire, are almost inseparable.

They forged their unlikely friendship after Timon, four, was savaged by other meerkats in the Bents’ outdoor menagerie.

So happy together: Poppy and Timon cuddle on the couch


And while the household also includes a cat, Timon immediately made a bond with six-year-old Poppy, a chihuahua-maltese terrier.

The pair now play together, bathe together and are even taken for walks together.

Mr Bent, 62, who also keeps skunks and racoons outside, said: ‘They are inseparable. They pinch each other’s food but never get angry.’

Mrs Bent, 52, added: ‘Meerkats stick very much to their own kind but Timon is loveable and cheeky.’

The cheeky mammal, which is actually a member of the mongoose - not cat - families, is mostly happy indoors.

Cute couple: The pair, who bonded after Timon was attacked by other meerkats, in the bath together

Inseperable: The pair with owner Sally at their house in Dronfield, Derbyshire


But he still has satisfy his urge to dig, which he does in a special pen in the back garden, shared with a ferret called Stumpy.

‘We wouldn’t like to put him out there on his own,’ said Mrs Bent. ‘He’s very loveable and cheeky and just loves company.’

The couple take their animals to schools and hospices to introduce children to their pets and show them how to care for animals.

Of Poppy and Timon, Mrs Bentsaid: ‘It’s like two children who are very comfortable with each other.

Walkies! Timon is even taken out on a leash with Poppy by owner John Bent

Howling with laughter: The dog and meerkat sound out their different calling cries


‘They play-fight and are very at ease in each others’ company.

‘As soon as Timon came into the house he went over to Poppy they bonded instantly.

‘Poppy has a special spot on the settee and she allowed Timon to share it with her. It’s where they fall asleep in the afternoon.’

Tiny trio: The 'Three Meerkateers' adventure into the big, wide world after surprise birth

These three cute baby meerkats have made their first foray into their pen after spending three weeks living underground.

The pups - nicknamed 'The Three Meerkateers' by keepers - have been reared in their burrow for the first few weeks of their lives.

Wonderful surprise: Keepers only realised this adorable trio had been born when they heard a 'laughing noise' coming from under the ground

And just days after their first tentative steps in public, the playful youngsters are already demonstrating their inquisitive streaks by exploring every nook and cranny of their pen.

Keepers say the sociable animals have already built up a 'strong family unit' with two-year-old parents Rogan and Gibby taking it in turns to keep an eye on them.

Elliott Hamilton, head keeper at Woodlands Family Theme Park, near Totnes, Devon, said the first they knew of the pups was a 'laughing noise' coming from the ground two weeks ago.

He said: 'We had no idea they were set to give birth and it was a wonderful surprise.
'The noises they make are very funny, they sound like they are laughing.

'It wasn't until mum and dad brought the pups out that we saw that there were three beautiful babies.'

Being too young to sex, the 10cm tall pups have not been named - but given the collective moniker 'The Three Meerkateers'.


The 'Three Meerkateers' have already built a strong bond with their parents


source:dailymail

Adorable meerkat babies take their first 'seemples' steps into the public eye

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Three of a kind: When it comes to comparing Meerkats the new gang at West Midland Safari Park have come up trumps


These adorable baby meerkats have just made their first faltering steps into public after their recent birth.

The adults are hugely popular with visitors to West Midlands Safari Park for their unusual and skittish behaviour, but they have also produced three tiny kits that are facing visitors for the first time.

And, when Mum decides to wander off for a spot of foraging, then Dad is only too keen to help out and watch the youngsters.


Small world: Meerkat family at West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcs. The young kits or pups are just four inches tall


The Meerkat 'kits' or 'pups' were born on June 12, but have just emerged from their nest for the first time.

The kits are thought to weigh no more than around 40 grams each. Named Alec, Sydney and Henrik by staff, although it is too early to sex them, they are barely 10cms tall.

They are gradually making more appearances with their mother in the new exhibit - Meerkat Mayhem - that is situated in the Park's new African Village.


First time out: The meerkat kits explore their strange new world


Skittish: The kits are just four weeks old and thought to weigh no more than around 40 grams each


Playful: The young meerkats have yet to get to grips with the principle of hide-and-seek


source: dailymail

Stand up straight and say 'fleas': Meerkat turns photographer after hi-jacking camera

By Daily Mail Reporter


Katarazzi: A young meerkat appears to get to grip with a photographers camera


This inquisitive meerkat cub turns the tables on a photographer who left his camera in the enclosure, peering through the lens as though preparing to take a picture.

The playful youngster, just three weeks old, wasted no time in investigating the camera and lens after they had been put down for a just a few seconds.

And it seems the cheeky critter, who was joined by his brothers and sisters, is keen to become the meerkat David Bailey as he lined up a few frames by peering through the lens at fellow family members.


Unfortunately the animals - popularised by the Insurance adverts - fell short of actually taking any pictures instead settling for repeatedly peering through the viewer before hopping around the other side.

Philip Knowling, of Paignton Zoo, Devon, said: 'They're certainly some of our more lively animals at the zoo.

'They really are the most inquisitive creatures and, despite just being a few weeks old, are bold as brass.

'They're very popular here at the zoo with visitors and keepers alike.'

The pups, whose sex is yet to be determined, were born to were born to mum Aurora and dad Kang just three weeks ago and have proved a real hit at the attraction.

The Zoo's other meerkats are male Limpopo and female Muchundi.

How do you switch it on? Two of the critters investigate the press photographer's camera after he left it lying in their enclosure


Is this my good side? A meerkat poses for the camera in Paignton Zoo, Devon


source:dailymail

Safari park visitors warned to beware... after meerkats develop a fetish for human feet

By Daily Mail Reporter


Foot fetish: A little Meerkat at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire jumps up onto one woman's ankle in an effort to grab her foot


Warning signs have been put up at a new attraction where meerkats mingle with visitors after the quirky creatures developed a fetish for human feet.

The small mammals have taken a liking to painted toenails and colourful sandals and jump all over them given the chance.

The bizarre foot fascination extends to the meerkats sniffing women's feet and one has even taken a little nibble at one visitor.


Staff at the new Jungle Kingdom enclosure at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire, have had to put up signs to warn female guests about the odd fetish.

The new enclosure is the first place in Britain where people can interact with the cute critters.

Among the more inquisitive meerkats are the six new arrivals which have been venturing into the walk-through enclosure for the first time.

Keeper Catriona Carr said: ‘The babies seem to be settling really well into their new environment and are certainly not lacking in confidence.

Curious meerkat: The small mammals have taken a liking to painted toenails and colourful sandals


‘We've had to keep an eye on anybody wearing sandals or flip-flops, especially if they have painted toenails.

‘They seem to be more attracted to reds and blues for some reason.

‘We're not entirely sure what it is about the feet. It might be the bright colours of the footwear and toenails, the movement of the toes or even the smell.

‘As keepers it certainly keeps us on our toes to make sure the cheeky critters don't nibble any visitor feet!’

Warning sign: Staff have had to put up signs to warn female guests about the odd fetish


The new path through the enclosure in Jungle Kingdom enables people to interact with the animals, which are among the favourites at the park.

The six baby meerkats are now part of a group of 19 living in Jungle Kingdom at Longleat, with the majority all successful births from previous years.

Groups of meerkats are known as mob and originate from parts of Southern Africa, Namibia and the Kalahari.

Waiting for visitors: Baby Meerkats on the lookout for the first painted toenails of the day


source:dailymail

One day son, all this will be yours: Meerkats survey their realm in scene straight out of The Lion King

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

A meerkat puts his arm around his son's shoulder as they scan the horizon at the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana


It was a heartwarming moment as cub Simba was shown his future kingdom by dad Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King - and here is a replay of the famous scene except this time the stars of the show are wild meerkats.

Just like the hit animated movie, an adult meerkat surveys the plains of Africa and seems to be saying 'One day all this will be yours', placing an arm around his son's shoulders as the pair scan the horizon together.

The copy-kat moment was caught on camera by caterer Thomas Retterath, 48, from, Nurburg, Germany.

The hobby photographer spotted the duo while on safari at Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana, where he watched a mob of seven meerkats patrolling their territory.


Dad keeps a watchful eye open for enemies and the possibility of something to eat
Thomas was inspired to take the trip after watching the popular Meerkat Manor TV series.


He said: 'It reminded me of drunk men trying to stabilise each other on their way home, but others in my group said it was juts like The Lion King.

'The mob only let alpha animals have pups. It improves the survival possibilities for all as there will be no overpopulation but enough food for all.


The adult meerkat seems to be telling his son 'One day all this will be yours' as they survey their kingdom


'It was great to watch them from just a few metres away and they were very funny. They stand on their back feet to look out for food and enemies.'

Meerkats are found in the Kalahari Desert across South Africa and Botswana and can live for up to 14 years.



Mufasa and his cub Simba in The Lion King and, right, a scene from the 2008 TV documentary Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins, which inspired photographer Thomas Retterath to visit Botswana


source: dailymail