This is what I like

Media Release

Thursday, 20^th September 2012

Dublin Zoo Welcomes Meerkat Pups

Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the arrival of two meerkat pups to the family of four adult meerkats, one male and three females.

Although the pups were born in July, visitors are only now getting their first glimpse of the young additions as mum and dad kept the pups hidden in burrows during the early stages of their lives. Throughout this period, their parents and aunts kept watch over the secret passages, calling out and warning each other if there were any signs of danger or predators nearby. This is typical of meerkats who demonstrate altruistic behavior within their colonies where one or more meerkats stand guard, to warn others of approaching dangers.

Eddie O’Brien, team leader said, “We are delighted with the arrival of the pups. It has been some time since meerkats were born at the Zoo so these are a welcome additions. We think the youngsters are female.”

He continued, “Both pups are doing very well. They are still feeding from their mother and recently they have also started eating solids. As carnivores they eat meat and insects.”

Meerkats are small mammals belonging to the mongoose family. They live in various parts of southern Africa including the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, the Namib Desert in Namibia, southwestern Angola and South Africa.

Visitors can see the meerkat pups in the Meerkat Restaurant at Dublin Zoo. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo or www.dublinzoo.ie.

Press Release from Dublin Zoo

Rio and Marmaduke celebrate their first born at Dublin Zoo
Tapir calf born

Dublin Zoo is celebrating the birth of a Brazilian tapir born early on Tuesday, 5^th June. The male calf, born to mum Rio, and dad Marmaduke, is the pair’s first calf together.

Team leader Eddie O’Brien, said, “We are delighted with the birth of the tapir calf. Mum and calf are doing very well and we are really happy with how well Rio is doing as a first time mum. The calf was up and about quickly after he was born, he is really inquisitive!”

Tapir calves are born with a number of white spots and stripes which act as camouflage in the wild. The spots and stripes mimic the dappled sunlight on the forest floor but these markings will disappear by adulthood. Although this is Rio’s first calf, Marmaduke has successfully fathered 17 tapir calves to date.

Brazilian Tapirs

Last year Rio, the female tapir arrived at Dublin Zoo from Marwell Wildlife in the UK to join Marmaduke the male tapir. A year on, the keepers are delighted to see how well both have hit it off and are even more delighted that they have successfully bred a new calf.

These nocturnal mammals are native to the tropics of South and Central America. Tapirs have a short trunk, which they use to grab branches and leaves or to help pluck tasty fruit. Tapirs feed each morning and evening. They are excellent swimmers and can dive to feed on aquatic plants.

Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm. For further information on news, events and opening times visit www.facebook.com/dublinzoo, www.dublinzoo.ie.