Meerkats die after tunnel collapse at Leicestershire wildlife park
A group of meerkats has died after tunnels beneath their enclosure collapsed in sudden heavy rain at Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire. One animal...
A group of meerkats has died after tunnels beneath their enclosure collapsed in sudden heavy rain at Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire. One animal survived the cave-in, and staff said on Monday they found the rest of the mob dead.
The wildlife attraction said the meerkats had been digging a fresh underground chamber for Big Mama, the group’s matriarch, who was expecting her next litter. The collapse came after a long spell of hot, dry weather had left the ground easy to dig, before heavy rain weakened the tunnels.
A fragile burrow gave way
In a statement posted online, the centre said the rainfall compromised the structure of the tunnels and caused them to collapse. Rescuers were able to pull one meerkat from the rubble, but no other animals in the group were found alive.
The park has not said how many meerkats died. Previous footage from the attraction showed several meerkats living there. The surviving animal is being kept under close watch, with staff spending time nearby to comfort and monitor it.
Shock for the team
“This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the team,” a spokesperson said.
The park described the loss as an “unexpected and catastrophic turn of events”. It said Big Mama was an experienced mother and that the mob was well practised in digging tunnels and chambers. Even so, the sudden shift in weather proved enough to bring the burrow down.
Such collapses are a reminder of how exposed burrowing animals can be when dry ground turns quickly to saturated soil. Wildlife parks often try to manage enclosures around natural digging behaviour, but extreme weather can change conditions fast. Fast enough, in this case, to trap the animals underground.
For Tropical Birdland, the immediate focus is now on the lone survivor. Staff say they will keep checking on the animal closely in the days ahead.
