A LITTER of meerkat pups has arrived at Marwell Wildlife.

The healthy youngsters were born to mum Macbeth, three, and dad, Choggy, four, who cared for their little pups below ground following their birth on July 11.

At three weeks old the meerkat pups started to venture out of their burrow, exploring their new home under the watchful guidance of their parents.

Jody Geary, senior keeper for carnivores at Marwell, near Winchester, said: “The birth of three healthy meerkat pups is fantastic news and we are all very excited by this arrival.

“Marwell’s keepers are keeping a close eye on Macbeth and her litter and they are all doing well.

“First-time mum Macbeth is doing a great job looking after them and the caring duties are being shared with dad, Choggy.

“The energetic pups have been finding their feet – they have been out and about playing and crawling over mum.

“One of the pups is particularly brave and tends to lead the other two when they are making new discoveries!”

The meerkat pups are on public view but in a private den away from the main enclosure.

For the latest updates on the litter’s progress visit Marwell Wildlife’s Face-book and Twitter pages.