Cute new meerkat at Pets’ Corner!

01 September 2018

A new young male meerkat has joined Dee in Pets’ Corner in Hazlehead Park and is settling in to his new surroundings.

The four-year-old is a replacement for Don, who sadly died due to a heart condition, and, since the names Dee and Don were chosen by a local youngster for the two meerkats when they arrived at the facility, it has been decided the new addition would also be called Don. He was donated by Auchingarich Wildlife Centre, Perthshire.

It was the first time Aberdeen City Council-run Pets’ Corner has had meerkats and they have proven to be an extremely popular attraction, and they came after the facility had a a £750,000 renovation and expansion including a larger area for the fish and reptiles, and the creation of a new education room.

As part of the renovations, a custom-built indoor and sleeping area, and large outside play area, was especially built for the meerkats.

Aberdeen City Council operational delivery convener Councillor John Wheeler said: “The baby meerkats have been such a popular attraction, with visitors both young and old, and it’s great we have a replacement for Don, and he has been getting on great with Dee in the special meerkat home.

“We look forward to welcoming lots of people through the doors in the coming months to see the new Don.”

The work at Pets Corner last year included replacement of the roof over both parts of the buildings, internal alterations and refurbishment, the installation of new fish and reptile tanks, new external access ramp and paths, and an upgrade to the staff facilities. Friends of Hazlehead Park also supported the work.

Other animal attractions at Pets’ Corner include alpacas, kune kune pigs, geese, turkey, chickens, sheep, goats, Shetland pony, miniature donkeys, fish, reptiles, budgies, ducks, finches, chipmunks, guinea fowl, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, Lou Lou and Gethin the pygmy goat, and Vadar the albino Burmese python.

The opening hours for Pets’ Corner in September are from 10am to 5.30pm, and October are from 10am to 4.15pm.

The admission charges are:-

Adult 16+: £3 Child 3-16 years: £1 Children under 3 years: Free Family Pass – 2 Adults 3 Children or 1 Adult 4 Children: £6 Access to Leisure & Concession: £2 Educational Group: Adult £1.50, Child 3-16 years 50p Yearly Family Pass: £30