The Bedford Estates, LondonSlender-tailed meerkats Pansy and Brendan have welcomed another adorable pup to their growing mob! The seven-week-old meerkat pup is too young for keepers to sex just yet, but has been named Dobby to match their older siblings’ Harry Potter-themed names.
The youngster has been busy fitting in with the rest of the mob and learning important everyday skills from their parents and older siblings, like foraging through vegetation, burrowing in the sand and engaging socially with the other meerkats.
Dobby has also been spotted learning to stand on their hind legs – an instinctive behavior practiced by meerkats which allows them to keep watch for birds and other threats from above. Despite Dobby’s best efforts, they are still a little wobbly on their tiny legs and might need a bit more practice before they can keep a watchful eye on the whole mob!
Dobby has only recently begun to venture outside into the main enclosure, as they spent the first month of their life quietly bonding with Pansy in a secluded pen of the meerkat house. The two can often be seen running and jumping in the natural desert habitat, with the newest addition remaining close to the older meerkats as they grow in confidence.
Meerkat mobs live in large family groups led by a dominant pair, which in this case is Dobby’s parents, and the rest of the mob will play an important role caring for the tiny pup as they grow.
See the growing pups for yourself...
With their curiosity growing day-by-day, visitors are likely to spot adorable little Dobby in the Desert Springs enclosure in the Foot Safari on their next visit! Or if you'd like to get even closer to the meerkat mob check out the availability for the VIP meerkat and tortoise encounter.
Ticket info