News · 24 August 2026
Entire family of meerkats except one survivor die after tunnels collapse in heavy rain in zoo
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A mob of meerkats at Tropical Birdland in Leicestershire perished on Monday when their tunnels gave way during an unexpected heavy downpour. Staff at the wildlife park rescued one meerkat, but the rest of the group died in the incident. The meerkats had been digging a new chamber for their matriarch, Big Mama, who was expecting pups.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs