COAL VALLEY, Illinois — Niabi Zoo Members were able to get an early glance at the zoo’s new meerkat exhibit and enjoy an Easter egg hunt the morning of Saturday, March 26.
The event was free for families that became members of the zoo by March 23, and visitors enjoyed candy, giveaways and free rides on the carousel and train.
The zoo opens to the public April 11.
Meerkat exhibit
The new meerkat exhibit featuring the animals in a rockwork exhibit that would be similar to their African home. Visitors will be able to view the animals from a unique “underground” viewing area underneath the rockwork.
The meerkats are at Niabi Zoo as part of a Species Survival Program, designed to protect endangered species. A female African crested porcupine is also part of the program and is housed with the meerkats. In the wild, this type of porcupine would live in rocky, hilly areas of sub-Saharn Africa, North Africa and Italy.
Also new this year is the addition of Zeke, the Amur leopard, who was announced after the death of long-time resident Jackson the jaguar.