One of the meerkats in Reid Park Zoo has died, the zoo said Monday.
The meerkat died in a tunnel collapse during the weekend.
Staff and volunteers have been observing natural tunneling behavior and have been working to prevent cave-ins, the zoo said. Zoo staff had been selectively collapsing tunnels daily, the zoo said.
βAnimal welfare is the top priority of all staff members at Reid Park Zoo,β said Zoo Administrator Jason Jacobs. βAnimal care staff has already made changes to protocol in an attempt to prevent further injuries. As we continue to make animal welfare a top priority, staff will be evaluating the exhibit and making additional preventative changes.β
Meerkats are not endangered or threatened and are widespread in the western parts of southern Africa.
The exhibit opened earlier this year.
