The expansion to the Africa region of the zoo is bringing with it many big animals, such as lions, rhinos, and cheetahs. However, a small animal new to the zoo is also getting a specially designed habitat. Meerkats are coming to Abilene Zoo, and with them comes an experience for children viewing the playful mongooses!
Meerkats are incredible social animals that live underground. Living underground keeps mob members safe from predators and out of the harsh African heat. These burrows can be 5 meters long and contain multiple entrances, tunnels, and rooms. A group will use up to five separate burrows at a time.
As a part of A Bold Adventure, guests will step into the world of meerkats through a playful and interactive habitat experience. Children will be able to navigate through tunnels and pop up meerkat-style into viewing bubbles located within the habitat, creating unforgettable up-close encounters with these curious and social animals. One of the bubbles is ADA accessible, so everyone will be able to see the meerkats up close and feel like part of the mob. These face-to-face experiences are at the core of the Abilene Zoo’s mission to inspire curiosity and appreciation for wildlife in future generations.
There is more than one way at the zoo to spot a meerkat, too. The round habitat will sit beside the overhead boardwalk, allowing for overhead viewing. When the weather turns foul, the meerkats will stay in their warm-holding building, and a large viewing window will allow guests to watch the creatures year-round. A larger-than-life bronze statue will also be erected in the area, featuring a 5-foot-tall meerkat with her babies.
Construction is already underway, and your support will help bring A Bold Adventure to life and ensure that we continue to inspire meaningful connections with wildlife for generations to come.
For 60 years, we’ve been shaped by the support of our community. Now, as the next chapter begins, we invite you to be part of it.
Follow the journey on our social media channels for construction updates as the vision becomes a reality. Members will get special sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes updates.
Strap in for the adventure at abilenezoo.org/adventure.
