A mob of meerkats have died after a community of their tunnels collapsed throughout “sudden heavy rain”.
Tropical Birdland in Desford, Leicestershire, confirmed on Monday one meerkat was rescued, however workers found the remainder of the mob had died because of this of the collapse.
A spokesperson for the wildlife attraction stated the meerkats had been digging out a recent underground chamber, because the matriarch, named Big Mama, was anticipating her subsequent litter.
“This has been an incredibly distressing and heartbreaking time for all the team,” the spokesperson added.
In a web based assertion, officers on the attraction stated the bottom had been supreme for digging as a result of extended scorching and dry climate, however heavy rain had “compromised the structure of the tunnels, causing them to collapse”.
The spokesperson added that workers have been “regularly spending time with the surviving member of the group to comfort and monitor closely”.
The centre has not confirmed what number of died in the collapse, however earlier footage confirmed a number of meerkats have been homed on the attraction.