Perth Zoo’s infant meerkat returned after being stolen from its enclosure

PERTH Zoo’s infant meerkat has been returned after it went missing just days ago.

The Zoo confirmed this morning that the meerkitten had been illegally taken on Wednesday afternoon.

The meerkitten was taken just one day before its public debut.

Keepers initially believed the meerkat kitten had been stolen by a zoo guest or taken by a predatory bird.

Concerned Zoo staff pleaded with whoever had taken the meerkitten to return it due to its specialised diet and care.

It had only recently begun exploring the outside world with the rest of its mob, having spent its first few weeks in a nest box.

The baby meerkat’s mum, Bamba, was brought from Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria to be introduced to the male mob at Perth Zoo.

Zoo officials suspect that Perth Zoo-born male Runako may have been the sire.

Perth Zoo is part of a regional breeding program for meerkats.

Anyone with any information should contact Perth Zoo on 9474 0444.