Notes to Editors s1

Baby Meerkat Given a Helping Hand

Zoo Keepers Save Orphaned Meerkat – thanks to feeds EVERY two hours for three weeks

Zoo Keepers at Chessington World of Adventures Resort have taken tiny meerkat baby Lila under their wing, after she was rejected by her mother.

At 22 days old and weighing 119g, which is the equivalent to just under the weight of half a packet of butter, Lila is receiving round the clock care and being hand reared by the Zoo team. Lila will be introduced to fellow meerkat play mates in order to learn all of the traits of her species and develop her own set of natural instincts.

Gemma Anscomb, Ungulate Keeper, has taken on the challenge of being the main carer for baby Lila with duties including feeds every two hours and lots of cuddles.

Gemma Anscomb, Ungulate Keeper, says; “Little Lila was sadly abandoned by her mummy. This often happens in the wild. If the parents feel that the family group is getting too large, they will often seek out the weakest of the group and reject them from it. We closely monitored the group following Lila’s birth and when we saw something wasn’t quite right we stepped in to take care of Lila and I’m delighted to say she is doing really well.”

Lila will now begin a programme of meeting her fellow meerkat playmates and is being cared for by Gemma, as well as a number of other keepers in order for her to get used to being handled. She will also begin to try some solid food, as she is weaned off purely being fed milk. Lila will make her public debut next Saturday (25 May) in the Wanyama Village which is situated within new land ZUFARI.

Lila will be living alongside lots of amazing new neighbours – fellow African species including giraffes, rhinos and zebra who also call ZUFARI home.

Lila’s debut will also mark Africa Day, which Chessington World of Adventures Resort will be celebrating, with special educational African activities and talks with animal keepers.

Gemma adds; “We’re all so pleased to see that little Lila is developing by the day and are looking forward to introducing her to her new family in the Wanyama Village very soon. She may be small, but she’s a little fighter and has proven quite a character already! She loves nothing more than snuggling up to her Mumma Duck cuddly toy and getting lots of attention from her keepers.”

“It’s been a little tough waking up in the middle of the night to feed her every two hours, but it’s been a labour of love. We’re sure that she’ll enjoy living with her new family and meeting our visitors very soon.”

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Notes to Editors  High Resolution images of Chessington World of Adventures Resort and Holiday Inn Chessington are available for the media to download free of charge from www.chessington.com/press  Follow us on Twitter; www.twitter.com/cwoa or become a fan on Facebook; www.facebook.com/chessington and watch our latest videos on YouTube www.youtube.com/wwwchessingtoncom

Opening times:

 Full park season 20th March to 4th November 2013

 Chessington Zoo Days every weekend outside of the above and every day during February half term. Plus Festive Zoo Days on selected weekends in November and then 7th – 9th December, 14th – 16th December and then 19th December 2013 – 5th January 2014 (exc Christmas Day)

 Chessington Resort Hotel is open all year round

 Family Value tickets offer amazing value for money – plus with up to 25% off gate prices when pre-booked at least 7 days in advance and online only at Chessington.com there are even better discounts to be had!

 Adult & Pre school ticket valid for one adult and one child up to 5 years of age.

 Discover the perfect family get away at the resort’s safari-themed Holiday Inn Chessington, where you can enjoy themed rooms, an indoor swimming pool & spa and the fantastic African-themed restaurant Zafari Bar & Grill.

 Express passes and special offers are available online when booking in advance on www.chessington.com

 MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 98 attractions, eight hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 21,000 employees.

 Among Merlin’s attractions are - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Siam Ocean World and Busan Aquarium. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

 For 12 months unlimited access to Chessington and/or Merlin’s other UK attractions see our range of annual passes at Merlin Annual Pass

 The Zoo at Chessington World of Adventures is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.