I recently celebrated my birthday, and my wonderful husband surprised me with a meerkat encounter at Wellington Zoo!
The zoo is home to lots of different animals, but one of the most popular attractions is the meerkat exhibit. Meerkats are such fascinating creatures, and I was so lucky to get up close and personal with them. The experience with the furry little creatures was truly unforgettable. Thank you Jono! x
Meet & Greet
We met with the guide at 4pm, and we were let into a side area of the African inspired exhibit. We had a bit of a run through, and then the guide opened the door into the exhibit. I was so very excited!!
We were led to the sitting area, where a whole mob of meerkats descended upon us, and crawled in around our feet. They recommend closed in shoes for that reason. I loved feeling their fur as they played around my ankles!
The keeper told us how they care for the meerkats, and how others live in the wild and what they like to eat.
It was wonderful seeing them playing, foraging and interacting with each other. They were surprisingly noisier than I thought – listen to them in the video below!
These interesting little animals are best known for standing on their hind legs to watch for predators. They are native to Africa and are known for their playful nature and curious personalities.
Meerkats are very social creatures, living in large groups called “mobs” or “gangs”. A meerkat gang has around 20 to 30 members, but some gangs have been known to have more than 50 members.
All meerkats in a group cooperate in caring for the young, digging burrows, and standing guard against predators. When a predator is spotted, the meerkat on sentry duty gives an alarm call to warn the others. The whole group then rushes to safety underground.
Not so mere after all
A meerkat encounter is a great way to learn about these fascinating creatures, and it certainly makes for a memorable experience! Highly recommend it for a special occasion like I had, or if you just want something different to do in Wellington.
Meerkat encounters are available twice daily, and booking is essential. It costs $99 per person which includes free Zoo entry.
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
1 Comment