The real-life Lion King: Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the micro pig form unlikeliest of friendships

By JESSICA SATHERLEY

Best of friends: The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters in The Lion King

It could be straight out of Disney's classic The Lion King - but this adorable couple are the real-life Timon and Pumbaa.

The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters - have struck up the most unlikely of friendships.

Having been born within weeks of each other in Worcestershire, the black micro pig and fuzzy haired meerkat became best pals after seeing each other through a chicken wire fence dividing their pens.


Give me a kiss: Timon and Pumbaa play around with each other after becoming close pals at Tropical Inc, an education animal display company based in Dunhampton, Worcestershire

"They are both newborns and haven't settled into their roles within the litter yet so they are just running around enjoying themselves much like the mantra of the film.

"They showed great interest in each other from the start, almost like they were meant to be friends.

"At the time they still hadn't been named, but we soon realised we couldn't call them anything else once somebody pointed out they were just like the pair from the film."


Miniature rascals: Kelly Shambly, 24, an animal career at Tropical Inc poses with Timon and Pumbaa

In an incredible real-life parallel to the cartoon characters, Timon is an outgoing and self-absorbed meerkat.

Kelly added: "There was a little chicken wire fence between them and Timon was desperately trying to find a way through to get to Pumbaa.


The real Timon (left) and Pumbaa (right): Pictured in the 1994 film The Lion King

source: dailymail

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They're meerly friends: The unrequited love of one meerkat for his cuddly toy companion

By HUGO GYE

Spot the difference: The Chessington meerkats have had to become used to their cuddly-toy visitors

This meerkat may think that he's found true love at last.

But his passion is likely to go unrequited - because he has fallen for a cuddly toy.

The toy is one of many thrown into the meerkat enclosure at a theme park by excitable children who have bought them from the gift shop.

The humorous encounter was snapped at Chessington World of Adventures, the large zoo and theme park in Surrey.


I see you: This meerkat catches sight of an impostor in the enclosure


Zoo keepers say the toy meerkats end up accidentally dropped in the enclosure at least four times a week.

Manager Marc Boardman said: 'We sell a number of cuddly toy animals at our gift shops, including meerkats.

'And it seems children are taking them straight back to the enclosure to show them to the real thing.


How d'you do? He finds his neighbourly advances rebuffed by the new arrival

'Unfortunately, in their excitement, they sometimes accidentally drop them in. And our keepers are retrieving them at the rate of around one every 48 hours.

'Some of our resident meerkats are rather wary of the intruding impostors. However, others seem to be growing quite fond of their furry lookalike friends.'

Keepers have even reported finding a toy meerkat in one of the burrows, after a real-life animal took a shine to it.


Was it something I said? The frustrated meerkat seems to have taken against the new arrival


source: dailymail

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Seem-pals! The terrier who is best friends with a meerkat

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Stand-up guy: Timon the meerkat with his new best friend Poppy


To Poppy the terrier, Timon the meerkat is much more than a mere cat.

The playful pair, who live with owners John Bent and wife Sally in Dronfield, Derbyshire, are almost inseparable.

They forged their unlikely friendship after Timon, four, was savaged by other meerkats in the Bents’ outdoor menagerie.


So happy together: Poppy and Timon cuddle on the couch


And while the household also includes a cat, Timon immediately made a bond with six-year-old Poppy, a chihuahua-maltese terrier.

The pair now play together, bathe together and are even taken for walks together.

Mr Bent, 62, who also keeps skunks and racoons outside, said: ‘They are inseparable. They pinch each other’s food but never get angry.’

Mrs Bent, 52, added: ‘Meerkats stick very much to their own kind but Timon is loveable and cheeky.’

The cheeky mammal, which is actually a member of the mongoose - not cat - families, is mostly happy indoors.


Cute couple: The pair, who bonded after Timon was attacked by other meerkats, in the bath together



Inseperable: The pair with owner Sally at their house in Dronfield, Derbyshire


But he still has satisfy his urge to dig, which he does in a special pen in the back garden, shared with a ferret called Stumpy.

‘We wouldn’t like to put him out there on his own,’ said Mrs Bent. ‘He’s very loveable and cheeky and just loves company.’

The couple take their animals to schools and hospices to introduce children to their pets and show them how to care for animals.

Of Poppy and Timon, Mrs Bentsaid: ‘It’s like two children who are very comfortable with each other.


Walkies! Timon is even taken out on a leash with Poppy by owner John Bent


Howling with laughter: The dog and meerkat sound out their different calling cries


Wonderful surprise: Keepers only realised this adorable trio had been born when they heard a 'laughing noise' coming from under the ground


The youngsters are already showing their adventurous side by exploring every part of their pen



The 'Three Meerkateers' have already built a strong bond with their parents

source: dailymail

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Adorable meerkat babies take their first 'seemples' steps into the public eye

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Three of a kind: When it comes to comparing Meerkats the new gang at West Midland Safari Park have come up trumps


These adorable baby meerkats have just made their first faltering steps into public after their recent birth.

The adults are hugely popular with visitors to West Midlands Safari Park for their unusual and skittish behaviour, but they have also produced three tiny kits that are facing visitors for the first time.

And, when Mum decides to wander off for a spot of foraging, then Dad is only too keen to help out and watch the youngsters.


Small world: Meerkat family at West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, Worcs. The young kits or pups are just four inches tall


The Meerkat 'kits' or 'pups' were born on June 12, but have just emerged from their nest for the first time.

The kits are thought to weigh no more than around 40 grams each. Named Alec, Sydney and Henrik by staff, although it is too early to sex them, they are barely 10cms tall.

They are gradually making more appearances with their mother in the new exhibit - Meerkat Mayhem - that is situated in the Park's new African Village.


First time out: The meerkat kits explore their strange new world


Skittish: The kits are just four weeks old and thought to weigh no more than around 40 grams each


Playful: The young meerkats have yet to get to grips with the principle of hide-and-seek

source: dailymail

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Safari park visitors warned to beware... after meerkats develop a fetish for human feet

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Foot fetish: A little Meerkat at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire jumps up onto one woman's ankle in an effort to grab her foot


Warning signs have been put up at a new attraction where meerkats mingle with visitors after the quirky creatures developed a fetish for human feet.

The small mammals have taken a liking to painted toenails and colourful sandals and jump all over them given the chance.

The bizarre foot fascination extends to the meerkats sniffing women's feet and one has even taken a little nibble at one visitor.


Curious meerkat: The small mammals have taken a liking to painted toenails and colourful sandals


Staff at the new Jungle Kingdom enclosure at Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire, have had to put up signs to warn female guests about the odd fetish.

The new enclosure is the first place in Britain where people can interact with the cute critters.

Among the more inquisitive meerkats are the six new arrivals which have been venturing into the walk-through enclosure for the first time.

Keeper Catriona Carr said: ‘The babies seem to be settling really well into their new environment and are certainly not lacking in confidence.


Warning sign: Staff have had to put up signs to warn female guests about the odd fetish


‘We've had to keep an eye on anybody wearing sandals or flip-flops, especially if they have painted toenails.

‘They seem to be more attracted to reds and blues for some reason.

‘We're not entirely sure what it is about the feet. It might be the bright colours of the footwear and toenails, the movement of the toes or even the smell.

‘As keepers it certainly keeps us on our toes to make sure the cheeky critters don't nibble any visitor feet!’



Waiting for visitors: Baby Meerkats on the lookout for the first painted toenails of the day


The new path through the enclosure in Jungle Kingdom enables people to interact with the animals, which are among the favourites at the park.

The six baby meerkats are now part of a group of 19 living in Jungle Kingdom at Longleat, with the majority all successful births from previous years.

Groups of meerkats are known as mob and originate from parts of Southern Africa, Namibia and the Kalahari.

source: dailymail

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Student charged with theft after meerkat was stolen from wildlife park

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

A meerkat, similar to this, was stolen from a Kent park and later found dead


A student has been charged with stealing a meerkat, police said.

The animal went missing from its enclosure at Wingham Wildlife Park, near Canterbury, Kent, on December 29 last year.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said Adam Catherick, 19, of Laburnham Avenue, Sandwich, was charged with theft yesterday and will appear at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on May 11.


Popular: Adverts for comparethemarket.com's meerkat has fuelled the popularity of the creatures


It was later found dead on a road and, according to reports, had then been dumped in a dog waste bin in Sandwich.

Deborah Margaret Smith, 47, of Burch Avenue, Sandwich, who was also arrested at the time, has been charged with possession of cannabis and will appear at the court on the same date.

Meerkats have increased in popularity following adverts for comparethemarket.com, featuring cuddly puppet Aleksandr.

source: dailymail

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Spotted, the leopard who thinks he's a meerkat

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Spotlight stealer: Fans were overjoyed that Megan made her way to the game and fans asked for her autograph outside the venue


A safari guide thought he was seeing things when he caught a glimpse of this extremely rare sight.

A big cat had been stalking a warthog and when his prey disappeared into some particularly long grass he was forced to stretch himself to his full height like a meerkat on watch.

Every few minutes the leopard would balance expertly on his hind legs to keep track of his tasty prey.

The bizarre spectacle was caught on camera by 27-year-old Letsogile Kamogelo at Savuti Camp in the Linyanti Game Reserve, Botswana.


This how we do it: A real meerkat strikes a familiar pose


Mr Kamogelo, who works as a safari guide, said he had never heard of a leopard behaving in such a way.

He explained: 'This leopard had spotted a warthog from a distance and stalked it for almost an hour.

'He kept a reasonable distance from his prey but he lost sight of the warthog when it went in to tall grass.

'That's when he stood on his hind legs to try and catch sight of it.

'He lifted himself up for at least 45 seconds to a minute at a time. I don't think he was comfortable holding the position for any longer.

'He was very careful whenever he stood up because he didn't want to fall on his back.

'This is a very unusual behaviour and I have never heard or read about it before.

'There is a lot of animal behaviour that has not been recorded and it is mostly influenced by the type of terrain.

'The animal has to respond to the changes within its environment and it may display unusual behaviour like this.

'I've had a great response to the picture. It surprises a lot of people - including those who have been guiding for many years.'


source: dailymail

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1-week-old Meerkat cub

An employee bottle-feeds a 1-week-old Meerkat cub at the Royev Ruchey zoo in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, March 21, 2011. The cub is one of a litter of three being handfed after they were rejected by their mother.



An employee bottle-feeds a 1-week-old Meerkat cub at the Royev Ruchey zoo in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, March 21, 2011. The cub is one of a litter of three being handfed after they were rejected by their mother.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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One day son, all this will be yours: Meerkats survey their realm in scene straight out of The Lion King

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

A meerkat puts his arm around his son's shoulder as they scan the horizon at the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana


It was a heartwarming moment as cub Simba was shown his future kingdom by dad Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King - and here is a replay of the famous scene except this time the stars of the show are wild meerkats.

Just like the hit animated movie, an adult meerkat surveys the plains of Africa and seems to be saying 'One day all this will be yours', placing an arm around his son's shoulders as the pair scan the horizon together.

The copy-kat moment was caught on camera by caterer Thomas Retterath, 48, from, Nurburg, Germany.

The hobby photographer spotted the duo while on safari at Makgadikgadi Salt Pan in Botswana, where he watched a mob of seven meerkats patrolling their territory.


Dad keeps a watchful eye open for enemies and the possibility of something to eat
Thomas was inspired to take the trip after watching the popular Meerkat Manor TV series.


He said: 'It reminded me of drunk men trying to stabilise each other on their way home, but others in my group said it was juts like The Lion King.

'The mob only let alpha animals have pups. It improves the survival possibilities for all as there will be no overpopulation but enough food for all.


The adult meerkat seems to be telling his son 'One day all this will be yours' as they survey their kingdom


'It was great to watch them from just a few metres away and they were very funny. They stand on their back feet to look out for food and enemies.'

Meerkats are found in the Kalahari Desert across South Africa and Botswana and can live for up to 14 years.



Mufasa and his cub Simba in The Lion King and, right, a scene from the 2008 TV documentary Meerkat Manor: The Story Begins, which inspired photographer Thomas Retterath to visit Botswana


source: dailymail

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How to find a good look out post? Simples! Meerkats clamber on watching humans to make sure they get the best view

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

He's clearly a-head of his pack: One of the intrepid meerkats climbs up Natalie Burrard-Lucas to get a better view as look out for the mob


These cheeky meerkats have gone to extra lengths to make sure they have the best view... by using humans as a sentry post.

The clever critters decided to make best use of visitors to their him in a bid to protect its family from being eaten by deadly predators.

Members of every meerkat family perform the role of standing guard while their kin forage for food near their dens.

They stand on their hind legs to survey the dangerous African bush for threats including snakes and hawks.

The ever alert creatures line up so that at the merest hint of danger they can alert their family, who will scuttle quickly to the safety of a nearby bush or rock.

The incredible behaviour was documented on a visit to a family of the animals in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana, by London-based wildlife photographers Will Burrard-Lucas, 27, and brother Matt, 21.

Will's wife Natalie, 27, also accompanied the brothers and was lucky enough to perform the role of sentry post for the vigilant meerkats.


Do you think we've been spotted? The cheeky critter also perches on one of the photographer's hats as he keeps a sharp eye out for predators


360 vision: Four meerkats peer in different directions in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana


He said: 'As soon as they become active they will climb the highest terrain to get a good view of the area.

'In a flash one had climbed on my wife, Natalie. As the tallest thing to hand Natalie's head was the logical place to climb, from the meerkat's point of view.

'She took it in her stride and sat calmly as the meerkat checked the bush for danger.

'It stayed there for about three minutes. We were able to take our pictures by allowing them to come to us rather than us going into their space.'


It wasn't me! The creatures line up in an identity parade shot as other members of the mob forage for food nearby


Groups of meerkats are known as a mob, gang or clan.

They can live up to 14 years and are totally immune to the poison of scorpions, one of their main food sources.

Meerkats are prolific diggers and can shift several times their own body weight of dirt in just a few seconds.

They live in the southern region of Africa and have thrived in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

source: dailymail

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C'meer and give me a kiss: Mummy meerkat makes youngster pucker up

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Mum, you're embarrassing me! These cute meerkats were caught 'kissing' by a delighted onlooker at a zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. But in actual fact, it's good old mum trying get sand out of the mischievous youngster's nose


It looks like this cute meerkat is puckering up for a kiss - but it's not that simples!

The mischievous youngster got sand up its snout after playing in the sand and needed his mother's help to get it out.

Library assistant Elke Terstegen, 38, photographed the playful scene at her local zoo.

She said: 'The photo isn't as romantic as it looks - it is actually a mother and her child.

'It was a kind of 'Oh, you have something in your face - let me take my handkerchief, spit on it and rub it away'.

'We all know that behaviour from our own mum.

'This picture was the only one where the pup was standing still.

'On the others it was always trying to escape its mother.

'Before that the pup was digging in the sand so its snout was full of it.'

Elke, from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, said: 'The meerkats are my favourite animals because they seem to have some human habits like in this picture.'

The picture was taken at Zoom Erlebniswelt in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

source: dailymail

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The festive foods were given to the animals

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a bear looks at a paper made snowman at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, two chimpanzees share a piece of watermelon at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a bear plays with Christmas decorations at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a meerket rests inside a Christmas present at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.




SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a meerkat plays with Christmas presents at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.




SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a tree kangaroo eats slices of watermelon at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.



SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Taronga Zoo, a tree kangaroo eats slices of watermelon at Taronga Zoo on December 23, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. The festive foods were given to the animals as part of the regular enrichment program in place to encourage the animals to forage for food and help improve hunting abilities.



source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

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You're a squirrel, I'm a meerkat... let's face it, this relationship is completely nuts

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Pinned down: The squirrel used its meerkat mate as a cushion at a South African animal sanctuary


This affectionate pair weren't about to let their different backgrounds get in the way of a cuddle.

A meerkat and a squirrel make for strange bedfellows, but in a quiet corner of a South African animal sanctuary they were having a ball.

And judging by the serene expression of the meerkat's face, he rather enjoyed the attention of his pen friend as night-time fell.

The pair had been seeking shelter together when they were caught on camera by amateur photographer Heikki Lehvaslaiho, who was visiting the sanctuary with his family.

He didn't manage to discover the true nature of of the animals' relationship but was delighted with the picture of cosy creature comforts.

Perhaps the squirrel was just indulging in a game of Compare The Meerkat.


source: dailymail

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Oakland Zoo

A pancake tortoise is seen at the Oakland Zoo Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, in Oakland, Calif. The zoo welcomes three new pancake tortoises, one male and two females, who are named Flapjack, Maple, and Mrs. Butterworth. The male is twenty-three years old, one female is sixteen years old, and Maple is three years old. The pancakes came from the Bronx Zoo in New York on August 10, 2010.





An African elephant blows dirt on itself to aid in protection from the sun at the Oakland Zoo Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, in Oakland, Calif. The Bay area has endured a heat wave this week, with temperatures into the 90's.



A group of meercats stand at attention at the Oakland Zoo Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, in Oakland, Calif.


photo: AP

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