The Good Zoo at Oglebay was recently honored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for 25 years of continuous accreditation.

“Our animal care and education staff at the zoo work very hard, and I am thrilled that the AZA recognized their efforts,” John Hargleroad, director of operations at Oglebay, said.

An animal birth is always a highlight of the animal care staff’s dedication, and in October a meerkat was welcomed at the Good Zoo.

“We currently have four meerkats: Nala, Banga, Suri, and the new baby, at the meerkat exhibit in the main building at the zoo,” Mindi White, curator of animals, said. White explained that meerkats live in groups called mobs and that they take turns watching for danger, digging burrows, foraging for food, and even babysitting.

“Our mob can be observed performing their natural behaviors of foraging, digging in the sand, scent marking, soaking up some sun, or being sentry (guard) in the windowsill,” White said. “Meerkats live in grassy, desert-like areas on the southern tip of Africa and use their keen sense of smell to locate caterpillars, spiders, beetles, and scorpions to munch on. They will also eat reptiles, birds, eggs, plants, and fruit.”

Although meerkats are abundant throughout their range, White added that they live a very harsh life and have the constant threat of predators, rival meerkats, drought, and flooding of their burrows.

The new male meerkat needs a good name so the zoo is asking the public to vote for their favorite name on Oglebay’s Facebook page at facebook.com/oglebayresort.

The name choices are:

1. Mosi – means first child

2. Nishati – means energy

3. Rafiki – means friend

4. Kidogo – means little

5 Kanu – means wildcat