New meerkat arrival at Northumberland animal park

An animal park in Northumberland has a special new arrival!

Eshottheugh Animal Park near Morpeth proudly has welcomed a little meerkat kit, to first-time parents, Lily and Smiler.

The keepers have named this little one Solo, as it is the only one in the litter. After just 77 days gestation, meerkats can have litters with up to 8 meerkat kits.

Little Solo was born on March 8. When born,meerkats eyes are shut until they are 2 weeks old and they tend to start venturing out of the nest box around 4 weeks of age.

Solo has been getting more adventurous by the day and is slowly exploring their enclosure underneath the watchful eye of mum and dad.

The keepers are not sure if Solo is a boy or a girl yet, as it can be difficult to tell at this age.