Zoo meerkats give postal voters a “simples” reminder
Thursday 29 April 2010
The general election might be turning a little “katty” but that’s not going to stop ZSL London Zoo’s meerkats from placing their postal vote.
With postal forms arriving on doormats from Friday the Zoo’s meerkats have been posting their own to remind the British public how “simples” it is to vote.
Eleven meerkats who live in the Zoo’s Animal Adventure exhibit were given their very own red postbox so they can get involved in the election.
The postbox was there to stimulate the meerkats natural curiosity, as unusual objects are always worth investigating and the group will love having the chance to be nosey.
Zookeeper Robert Harland said: “Meerkats all work for the good of the group and often make decisions together so they will probably all vote for the same party.”
Did you know?
- Meerkats, a member of the mongoose family originate from the south of the Kalahari Desert in Africa.
- The animals which live in extensive burrow systems, feed on insects, small mammals, scorpions and snakes.
- In a mob of meerkats one of the group acts as sentry on a high vantage point, while the others forage for food.
- Black hair around their eyes enables them to scan the bright sky for predators and a variety of calls warns the group to hide when danger is near.
