Zoo officials tell us why they are so happy to get meerkat pups

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Zoo has their first meerkat pups.

They were born last Thursday.

The Zoo got their meerkats when they opened the Deserts of the World building in 2012.

After introducing Flower and her sister Sandy there was a power struggle among the females of the Meerkat Mob.

Ultimately, Flower became the dominant female and Sandy had to be shipped out to another zoo.

But, the zoo says it’s important to keep these animals breeding.

General Curator Stacy Laberdee tells us “Having offspring and just keeping the population at a healthy number just in case the populations were to get really bad in the wild. We will have those in human care populations that will help keep that species relevant in the wild.”

Since the pups were born inside the exhibit, they are staying with the mother.

And you can visit them all very soon.