Two Meerkat
pups born on December 15 at the Taronga
Western Plains Zoo are emerging from the den to explore their surroundings. This is the
fifth litter of pups for their mother, Umi, who keeps a close watch on her adventurous
pups.

Keepers named
the female pup Zola, meaning “love,” and the male Kato, meaning “second born of
twins” in an African language.  “The two
Meerkat pups are doing well and Umi is displaying all the right maternal behaviours,
which is great to see,” said zoo keeper Karen Ellis.

Photo Credits:  Taronga Zoo

Both Umi and the
father, Maputo, play an important role in rearing the pups.  Other members of the Meerkat troop pitch in
to care for and protect the pups as they grow. 
The zoo’s Meerkat troop now numbers 11 individuals.

Native to
southern Africa, Meerkats live in large family groups within underground burrows.  Members of the group take turns acting as
sentries, standing upright at the burrow entrance to warn others of
threats.  When danger approaches, the
sentry barks a warning, alerting the group to seek shelter in the burrow.