A Shropshire zoo has recently added four Dwarf Mongooses, the smallest carnivores in Africa, to its collection as part of a broader initiative to highlight the species’ conservation challenges.
The Dwarf Mongoose, known for its diminutive size, belongs to the same family as meerkats, which gained widespread recognition through the ‘Compare the Meerkat’ advertising campaign. The newly arrived mongooses, named Zepto, Bucky, Poco, and Marcel, form a bachelor group that traveled over 200 miles from Kent to their new home at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World.
This group, known as a ‘mob,’ will eventually be joined by females in a planned breeding program aimed at supporting the species’ captive population. In the wild, Dwarf Mongooses inhabit Southern and Eastern Africa but face threats from economic development and habitat destruction.
In their natural environment, Dwarf Mongooses live in intricate social structures with dominant breeding pairs and often see less dominant members leave to establish new groups.
Zoo Owner Will Dorrell emphasized the importance of the new arrivals: “While meerkats are well-known, many mongoose species, including the Dwarf Mongoose, face serious threats due to habitat loss. By bringing these mongooses to our zoo, we aim to raise awareness about these challenges and educate the public.”
Dorrell also noted the small size of the Dwarf Mongoose, which grows to just 15 to 20 centimeters in length. “We are optimistic that our new mob will eventually be joined by females, supporting our breeding efforts to help secure the species’ future and prevent its extinction,” he added.
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