Meerkat babies come out to play

STACY SQUIRES/ The Press

FIRST APPEARANCE: The four baby meerkats make their first public appearance.

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Four baby meerkats have made their first public appearances at Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park.

Now five weeks old, the pups have started to venture outside.

"The babies are very active and extremely noisy little animals. They are healthy and now eating meat, so we are happy with their development," animal collection manager Ian Adams said.

Meerkats first appeared at Orana in 2004. Last month's additions doubled the number at the park. "Meerkats are endearing animals," Adams said.

"Our animal keepers thoroughly enjoy working with the babies as they provide a range of challenges."

- © Fairfax NZ News