Tragedy at Leicestershire wildlife park as meerkats die in tunnel collapse
A mob of meerkats at Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire, has died after a sudden period of heavy rainfall caused a network of tunnels to collapse, according to the park. The incident, announced on social media on Monday, August 24, also claimed the life of the group's matriarch, Big Mama, who was preparing to welcome a new litter of pups.
Staff at the attraction, located on Lindridge Lane, said they managed to rescue one member of the mob, but the rest of the group died as a result of the collapse.
The park explained that the meerkats had been digging a fresh underground chamber during an unusually long heatwave, which had made the ground ideal for excavation. However, the sudden heavy rainfall after the prolonged dry spell compromised the structure of the tunnels, causing them to cave in.
In a statement posted on social media, Tropical Birdland said: "It is with heavy hearts that we announce the news of the passing of our beloved Meerkats. Most of last week our matriarch 'Big Mama' had her mob digging out and preparing a fresh chamber underground, ready for the arrival of her next litter of pups."
The statement continued: "Big Mama was an experienced mother, having several litters over the years, and her mob were very well practised in digging tunnels and chambers. After an unusually long heatwave, the ground was ideal for digging. In an unexpected and catastrophic turn of events, the sudden heavy rainfall after such a long hot dry spell compromised the structure of the tunnels causing them to collapse."
The park added that staff were able to locate where the meerkats were underground and rescued one individual, but were "heartbroken" to find the rest of the group had died. The surviving meerkat is now being comforted and monitored closely by the team.
The statement concluded: "The team is regularly spending time with the surviving member of the group to comfort and monitor them closely. This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the team."
The park has thanked the public for their continued support during what it described as a "difficult and upsetting time."