Meerkats killed after tunnel collapses at Leicestershire Wildlife Park

Only one of them was rescued

Why the tunnel collapsed on the meerkats

The mob was led by a matriarch known as Big Mama, an experienced mother who had produced several litters over the years.

For most of last week she had her group, described by the zoo as ‘very well practised’ at digging, hollowing out a fresh underground chamber ready for the arrival of her next litter of pups.

The ground had been ideal for digging after the UK heatwave, the park said, the same unusually long dry spell that brought amber health alerts.

Staff were able to locate where the Meerkats were underground and were able to rescue one member of the mob, but were heartbroken to find the rest of the group had passed away.

The surviving meerkat is now spending regular time with the zoo team, who are comforting and monitoring it closely as it adjusts to life without its mob.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the news of the passing of our beloved Meerkats", Tropical Birdland wrote on Instagram.

"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 statement continued.

"This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the Team."

Fans and visitors have been reacting to the news since the park’s announcement.